The other factor is the shocking disunity amongst Indians that they have displayed. Right from the moment when Advani and MMS couldn't come to Mumbai together to all the infighting, resignations, total bickering that is going on, all are very unexpected features being seen from India. They have kept this illusion (if not a facade) of unity.
Asim,
People enmasse have disowned politicians in India. I'd say you're trying to see the divide in India's parliamentarians which, actually, has nothing to do with what is going on in the real India.
Till now, I have seen and noticed a lot of solidarity, and unity amongst the REAL people who are standing shoulder to shoulder in this act of war irrespective of their religion or beliefs.
It has just started, and this could go on to be a significant factor in the days to come, and the very idea of India.
If at this moment, the divisive, notorious factors take over and plunge country into deeper internal peril, I (and am sure many others) would start giving up all their hopes on India.
People have to face it as it is in their face and make their independent, conscious decision on how they have to act now. And everyone can find a cohesive wave of emotions and their feelings which binds all Indians into one. That would be a start of a resurgent, cleaner, stronger India.
And if in this hour they choose to be guided by those internal divisive elements who thrive on bloodshed and anarchy, who are waiting to exploit this moment - then India is DOOMED. And it'd probably deserve to go down.