Modi Consecrates a Controversial Temple

Religion gives way to politics

By: Jyoti Malhotra

When 12 hours, 43 minutes, and 42 seconds flashed on the screen clock that was pounding down a countdown in Ayodhya Sunday night, Bollywood star and member of Parliament Hema Malini threw back her head slightly and laughed coquettishly as Rahul Kanwal, a journalist, praised her dance performance in honor of the Hindu god Rama. Malini h…