Last week, I conducted a Twitter poll to test this hypothesis: Narendra Modi enjoys an insane amount of support among his fans. The poll asked this question: If Modi wanted to declare an emergency to completely eliminate corruption, would you support it? The results: Of nearly 10,000 participants, 57% said they would support such an emergency.The usual Twitter poll disclaimers apply — it is a highly skewed sample, the poll isn’t scientific, etc. Also, neither is such a proposal on the anvil from the government, nor does the question indicate my own view. However, the results do give a sense of what some of Modi’s hardcore fans (bhakts) feel. It is worth noting that the participants here were almost all young, educated, digitally savvy people who understand English.Yes, a significant section of progressive young Indians are happy to give up democracy , and vote themselves voteless.Stunned? Well, I admit the question was a tad unfair. After all, there is nothing in the air suggesting an emergency. Nor does one need to make such harsh choices in order to show whether they support or do not support a leader. Still, the numbers do show (a) the enormous appeal of Modi amongst his core fanbase and/or (b) a possible ignorance of what emergency and giving up democracy could mean. It also shows a huge lack of confidence in the political system and the kind of leaders it generates.The reason for Modi’s appeal is obvious. After all, he is one leader who has created some hope. He speaks a language that connects. Modi takes steps — big, bold ones — to fix India . Whether or not it fixes the problem is a separate story. Just making the effort and having good intentions counts for a lot. That is clear in the case of demonetisation. Many experts and international publications have questioned the benefits of the move. They diligently quote data and facts and show how the actual benefits of demonetisation could be marginal. Of course, it’s wasted effort. All this economic mumbo-jumbo is irrelevant to the Modi fan. If fans are ready to support an emergency in their leader’s name, do you really think they give a damn about falling GDP or actual data about black money recovered?No, we are talking about love here. And love doesn’t, and is not meant to, see reason.Specifically on demonetisation, the experts, although not wrong, miss a key point. A huge intangible benefit has been the unifying effect it has had on an otherwise divided country. Imagine a bickering extended joint family.One day the patriarch gets them together and everyone goes out to plant trees. They plant a hundred trees and work as a family for that day. Would you not commend the patriarch for it? Now imagine only five of the 100 planted trees survive over time. Would you blame the patriarch? Wouldn’t you still give him credit for at least bringing everyone together for a good cause? This is why a lot of India supports Modi on demonetisation, despite the numbers being whatever they might be.However, this love does get disturbing when hardcore Modi fans place the individual above the institutions that make India. The interplay of the ruling party, opposition and a free media is essential for our democracy. An emergency means all those vital aspects of India are gone. It makes our country vulnerable to huge abuse of power. It is a big mistake to think a messiah will fix India, when in fact it is the system and societal values that need to be slowly fixed. Pakistan operates with the messiah assumption, falling in love with army generals. We know what a mess that place has become. Never ever wish for the end of democracy, no matter how wonderful your leader might be in your eyes.In fact, blind faith only harms the leader and the nation. Today, yes men and sycophants probably surround Modi, like they do any powerful leader. Few people working under Modi would have the guts to tell him he is wrong. It is from his critics that he will get to know where he could be going wrong and how to course-correct. This will then enable the best policies for India. Considering our opposition is in pathetic shape, it is these independent, critical yet constructive voices that can really add value to Modi and to India. Blind fans, who don’t even mind an emergency and are ready to abuse and bully anyone who mentions anything remotely critical of Modi, are frankly quite useless — to Modi as well as to nation-building.I have little sympathy for elitists, fake liberals and blind Modi haters. They are harmless for the most part. However, blind supporters are worrisome. If you are a true nationalist, the nation should come before any individual, even if that individual is your favourite leader. Love your leader as much as you want, just not more than India and its hard-earned democracy.