The Union human resource development minister’s dismissal of the theory of evolution has incited equal parts anger, ridicule and mockery. Many public figures have taken to social media to speak out against the corruption of a tested and proven scientific fact. While I agree with that criticism, statements such as these extend beyond arguments of science into the realm of culture.An enduring strategy of fringe outfits is to assert what they perceive as inherently ‘Indian culture’, which is often constructed in opposition to western cultural notions and practices. A dichotomy is often drawn between ‘western’ and ‘Indian’ ways of living, exemplified in diktats and fatwas about what we should eat or how women should dress. This is essentially an attempt at usurping the space of Indian culture to further an outfit’s own agendas.Culture can never be a static entity that you can freeze. It is both fluid and constantly evolving, and cannot be compartmentalised into western/Indian, or defined by our lifestyle choices. Having said that, belief is very personal, and we must respect different faiths and religions. Satyapal Singh is entitled to his personal beliefs. But as a Cabinet minister, he can’t publicly endorse a view that rejects the theory of evolution altogether.While it is downright unconstitutional to ‘manufacture’ culture by dictating what we can and cannot do, eat or wear, what is scarier is distorting science, one of the most important subsets of culture. As HRD minister, it is in Singh’s power to alter textbooks to reflect his views, thereby perpetuating bizarre and untested ideas, possibly dumbing down an entire generation.If some people are reinforcing his statements, they would want them to materialise into actual changes. He could score even larger political points by amending textbooks to reflect this view.This government has largely managed to keep civil society mute and passive by tactfully employing the politics of fear. As an exception, actor Prakash Raj recently asserted that GoI is usurping and distorting his religion to propagate its own personal agenda, and that there is a need to reclaim Hinduism. But it is largely politicians who speak out in circumstances where you would expect civil society to be furious—reports of lynchings, statements eulogising Nathuram Godse , ministers taking on Darwinism.This is not without good reason. I know at least ten of India ’s top businessmen who have privately told me that they believe demonetisation was disastrous for the economy . These are individuals who have absolutely no reason to please or pacify me. This was their genuine belief, and yet not one of them spoke out publicly against demonetisation.GoI is to blame for this conspiracy of silence. Businessmen, entertainers and civil society in general are afraid to speak out as they have their work and livelihoods riding on it. It’s not easy being a hero when there is so much at stake. But they must also understand that disastrous economic decisions, atrocities and idiotic statements from ministers are a threat to their own industries and creative freedoms as well.In a true democracy, it is not enough for only opposition parties to speak out. Everyone—from the judiciary, to the press, to business leaders and entertainers—must rally together to call out what is unjust and undemocratic. While the crisis in the Supreme Court was unfortunate, it was also refreshing to see that the judiciary had demonstrated a spine in these times when the media is unable to fulfil its duty and civil society has effectively been silenced.In the US, people criticise their government every single day. The president, supposedly the most powerful man on the planet, is regularly derided on social media and does not hesitate to return the favour. Citizens have the constitutional right and protection to launch damning criticisms at their government and leaders if they feel like they’ve been wronged.Till such time that India develops such institutional strength and capacity, and discovers heroes in the private sector or among the entertainment industry, the onus is on the Opposition to engage with these constituencies and provide them with the confidence and security to speak out.There is much reason for hope. During senator Joseph McCarthy ’s time in the US, anyone who rallied for equal rights or spoke out against the establishment was branded either a communist or an enemy of the State. It was a volatile time, and yet, public figures chose to speak out. Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner, for instance, denounced racial segregation and espoused liberal values as that was imperative for his business to thrive.Businessman-investor Warren Buffet’s first wife, Susan, was an active campaigner for civil rights and abortion rights. There are several other instances where filmmakers, entertainers and business leaders spoke out in the face of totalitarian regimes much before the US had the institutional capacity to bear it.While it is difficult being a hero in an environment that will penalise you for it in India, history teaches us that if you stand up and speak out, you can inspire people to join your cause. You can inspire real, measurable change that can make your society and your country a much better place to live in.