Make Role Models but Not Idols !

It’s natural for people to seek inspiration from those who embody success, strength, or vision. But somewhere along the way, admiration often turns into blind devotion. We begin to idolize instead of learn — and in doing so, we lose the very essence of what makes inspiration valuable. The difference between a role model and an idol, though subtle, is profound: one guides your growth, the other stifles it.

A role model motivates us through their qualities, actions, or achievements, inspiring self-improvement. They are relatable, fallable individuals who offer a blueprint for our own potential, teaching us through both their successes and mistakes. By contrast, an idol is worshipped, followed without question, and put on a pedestal. This is problematic because when we idolize, we surrender our critical thinking. instead of creating, we imitate; instead of discerning, we defend. History demonstrates how blind adoration—whether for leaders, celebrities, or influencers—can lead society in astray

If we look back in times, many inspiring leaders have spoken out against cult mentality and blind faith. Bhagat Singh, for instance, unequivocally opposed this in his essay, Why I Am an Atheist, written in year1930 while he was imprisoned in Lahore Central Jail. In his essay, he argues that any person who advocates for progress must "criticize, disbelieve and challenge every item of the old faith without any considerable reasoning because mere faith and blind faith is dangerous". He further states that blind faith "dulls the brain and makes a man reactionary". He was wary of the "cult worship" that had developed around Mahatma Gandhi, viewing it as an obstacle to rational political thinking. He urged people to critically evaluate and build upon the ideas of all leaders, rather than following any single figure unquestionably.

Swami Vivekananda, a key figure in bringing Hindu philosophy, particularly Vedanta, to the attention of the world and re-energizing it in India. He condemned all forms of superstition, ritualism, and dogmas that had become dominant in popular Hinduism, defining true religion as the realization of the truth, not belief in doctrines. He famously urged followers: "Be religious, but don't be fanatical."

On the same lines, B.R. Ambedkar made the statement as part of his final, seminal speech to the Constituent Assembly just before the Constitution was formally adopted. He cautioned against the dangers of hero-worship in a new democracy like India, and quoted that we should 'not to lay down liberties at the feet of even a great man, or to trust him with powers which enable him to subvert their institutions.'

In more recent times, Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, who catapulted the country from a slum, poverty-stricken territory into a developed, first-world nation within a generation, was emphatically against the cult culture. He consistently emphasized the necessity of focusing on systems & institutions rather than individuals. His most famous testament to this stance was his unwavering desire for his private residence to be demolished after his passing. He believed turning it into a museum or shrine would foster the exact hero-worship and cult of personality he wished to prevent. To this end, he ensured his image did not dominate public spaces; for example, there are no statues or portraits of him placed throughout government buildings in Singapore

In India, the era just before its colonization was the Bhakti Kaal (1300 CE to 1700 CE), which promoted the path of direct and fervent devotion to a personal God (like Rama or Krishna) as the primary means to attain salvation, replacing intermediate complex rituals like yagna. Historians suggest it was a period of great spiritual gain, but India experienced stagnation in the fields of science, technology, and political unity during this time. This was especially noticeable because during the same period in the West, the Renaissance (14th – 16th CE), followed by the Scientific Revolution (16th – 18th CE), was taking place. The Western movements gradually shifted the focus from purely religious doctrine to human potential. The Renaissance broke the intellectual monopoly of the Church and religious doctrine, instilling a spirit of inquiry, individualism, and critical thinking—all of which laid the necessary cultural groundwork for the Scientific Revolution. This latter movement was a period when modern science emerged, shifting ideas and thinking to be based on empirical evidence and mathematical laws. These two eras eventually paved the way for the Industrial Revolution, taking humanity into the Modern Era. Without these shifts, it would have been virtually impossible for Western powers to colonize the rest of the world.

Therefore, In a world often prone to idol worship, the choice of critical thinking is an act of empowerment. This process begins with regularly examining our own beliefs for biases, prejudices & blind spots, with a willingness to change in the light of new evidence and learning. We must remind ourselves that the purpose of admiring greatness is not to worship it, but to cultivate it within ourselves.