New Delhi, Aug. 23 -- When I tell Indians that we have immense stamina for useless issues, no one asks me to explain 'useless.' Even people who disagree that the issues are useless miraculously know what they are. Including the politician Subramanian Swamy, who began to smile when I asked him why Indians spend so much energy on useless things. He told me identity was not useless.

This helps us frame the meaning of useless issues-things that matter to the cultural upper rungs, but will not alter the lives of most Indians.

Now, something extraordinary is going on. The issues consuming the country are schools, roads, exam leaks and unemployment. The young, including school children, are hitting the streets. Road blocks are stirring anger. ...