Water was originally planned to be shot in India in 2000 but both the location and the time of production had to be altered after Hindu hardliners disrupted the shoot in Varanasi.

BBC: Midnight's Children evokes mixed responses in Toronto

However, Mr Gandhi seems to have gamely picked up the gauntlet at last, and "must be complimented", as The Hindu newspaper remarked, "on choosing to walk the difficult path at a difficult time".

BBC: Will Rahul Gandhi walk the talk?

The BJP lost ground this time, showing yet again that Hindu nationalism is enough to underpin a party, but not a government.

ECONOMIST: After India's election

This time, the festival has been criticised by both hardline Muslim and Hindu groups.

BBC: Jaipur Literature Festival begins

At a time of relative calm between Hindus and Muslims, the BJP used its Hindu-supremacist rhetoric sparingly, and struggled for a convincing alternative.

ECONOMIST: India's election