History has witnessed that when ideological movements meander beyond their architects' control, the consequences can be devastating. Consider China's Cultural Revolution. Though initiated by Mao Zedong, the Revolution quickly spiralled beyond his control. The Red Guards he had mobilised became so destructive that he had to use the military to rein them in. Many of his closest allies were purged by forces he had unleashed but could no longer fully control. The same was true of Iran's Islamic Revolution. What began as a broad coalition of secular liberals, leftists, and religious groups against the Shah transformed into an Islamic state that suppressed many of its original supporters. Even original religious leaders were marginalised by more hardline elements they had initially allied with.

Closer home, the Taliban Movement, originally supported by various powers, evolved beyond their patrons' control to attack them. Pakistan, which had provided significant support, found itself unable to moderate its policies or prevent them from sheltering groups that would later create regional instability. Or even the partition of India, where the calls of separate electorates gradually morphed into an unconquerable demand for division.

The Hindutva movement's current trajectory bears these warning signs. When right-wing extremists assault people in the name of religion just days after Modi speaks about Christ's message of love and harmony, it exposes the hollow nature of leadership's authority over their foot soldiers.

The recent monikerisation of Kerala as a "Mini Pakistan" by Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane isn't just politically tone-deaf. True, there was a time when it might not have meant much. However, the echoes of matching notes from different quarters point to an orchestration of mischief. Kerala had been generally harmonious, but BJP's inroads into the state have sparked divisions. And if the clues offer some credence, possible defections. Or else why would a section of some party alienate a potential section of their vote bank. We digress.

The Hindutva movement seems to be reaching a crossroads. Its foot soldiers have already been emboldened by years of impunity—from the Babri Masjid demolition to cow vigilantism to openly antagonising people. They now operate with near-complete autonomy, often contradicting even their leaders' public positions. This growing disconnect between the leaders and ground-level activists isn't just a discipline crisis.

Kerala was nicknamed God's Own Country precisely because it was peaceful and tranquil. Yet concoctions had been brewing beneath the surface for quite some time now and cracks have started showing up. But incontrovertibly, even if somewhat ironically, if it fails to keep God out of its politics, even God will not be able to save it. Those who unleash tempests might soon discover an ancient truth: when you play God in paradise, the gods will eventually turn against you."