'Indian nationalists are still obsessed with the Raj'

Or was that pointed big yawn at the coronation for real? Join the discussion

The Gateway of India commemorates King-Emperor George V’s arrival in Bombay, in December 1911. He was the first British monarch to visit India. Photo by Sarang Pande on Unsplash

My former BBC colleague Henri Astier offered a sharp and insightful riposte to my piece on India’s pointedly big yawn at Charles’ big moment. “From this ‘don't-mention-the-coronation’ mentality,” Henri wrote, “I conclude that Indian nationalists are still obsessed with the Raj. If they were truly over it, they would not make a point of ignoring these ceremonial vestiges of empire.”

It’s hard to disagree.

What do you think? If Indians and other former colonies were truly disinterested in the British, they would ignore them. Wouldn’t they? Before you answer, here’s Henri. (Meanwhile, as to Henri’s question about Charles and degrowth: I never did mention the new British king in my coming piece because, you may recall, the editor told me there’s zero interest in him in India!)

Excellent Rashmee! From this "don't-men…