India, Dec. 7 -- Vande Mataram and a needless controversy

In September, Indonesian President Prabowo Subiyanto addressed the United Nations General Assembly with two greetings that, incidentally, had the same meaning. Assalamu alaikum (Arabic) and Om Swastiastu (Sanskrit) mean may God have grace on you. Indonesia, of course, is the most populous Muslim nation in the world.

Leaders of the Islamic nations always use the Arabic greeting, but Subiyanto stuck to the traditions that his forefathers and predecessors followed, which dates back to long before the advent of Islam in the island-nation. In Indonesia, many families still invoke Lord Ganesha during auspicious occasions.

You must be wondering why I am mentioning all this. Parliament ...