A FB friend asks, "Why is the support of upper castes for the BJP secular, but that of Muslims for any party communal? " http://m.timesofindia.com/home/stoi/deep-focus/What-Johnny-wont-see-Upper-caste-votebank/articleshow/34269634.cms

Because many Muslims are from lower Hindu castes and BJP or the upper Hindu castes (no matter what the party) have never seen them as equals or even as heterogeneous and competitive, conflicted as themselves.

Secular is a bad phrase in the Indian context. Most people who think of themselves as secular also consider themselves deeply attached to the religious practices of their particular castes.

Muslims from formerly upper caste backgrounds also consider themselves non-communal, even secular. Same muddled thinking.

I don't mind muddled thinking. Principle are signs of weak minds. I also consider a common human weakness to think of "Us v. Them", one requirement of which is stereotyping "them" and considering "them" to be all the same, a united enemy, incapable of human weaknesses and conflicts. All that serves to call upon "us" to be united, creating a stereotype of "us", requiring ideological purity of "all of us".

Stupid, in plain terms. And hence powerful.