Nepal, July 24 -- The chain of events that have rocked India's national capital, and indeed the entire nation, show that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lost its biggest edge-its ability to swiftly read the ground mood and tailor a reaction to it. The outrage on the streets of New Delhi that seems to be spilling over to other parts of the country is a clear reflection of how the BJP-once supremely astute, pragmatic and connected to the ground-now seems to be losing its touch, with hubris and complacency overtaking all else. The party is so drunk on years of power and popularity that it seems to think it is invincible and fully insulated from any public ire.

What started off as relatively low-key yout...