Political trespass

In best of times, the line dividing economics and politics is imperceptibly thin. During surcharged times as at present, the distinction gets even more blurred and economists charge into political terrain as if it is their own. No wonder therefore that even a sensitive economist like Amartya Sen deems it perfectly in order to comment on prime ministerial fitness of aspirants. Narendra Modi is a no-no because he is not ' secular enough'. So there are degrees of secularism which an economist can measure and advise you. Sen certainly deserves the Nobel!

Rahul Gandhi? Sen cannot comment on him because he is not aware of the latter's political instincts! That Rahul is inexperienced, callow and politically inert is known to everyone including perhaps the famous economist. But apparently these qualities do not in limine disqualify him for prime ministership because he is adequately secular! Sen's sycophantic encomium that Rahul Gandhi was a keen student in England is laughable.

In economics, secular means 'in the long run'. It will be healthy if economists confine themselves to pontificating on secular trends in economic sense rather than religious sense. Equally perplexing is the publicised view of Sankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt that Modi should be our prime minister. Political India will suffer if theoretical economists and religious leaders freely wade into politics.