> That is there everywhere but it's the insistence it be used repeatedly in a conversation that is odd.
Use only appropriate quantity, just like how you use salt in Indian food 
> When it comes to military ranks I'm fine with titles.
Hmmm...
Similarly, everybody find their own cause for appropriate reasons.
That Shastriji case can be considered just like how an Indian senior leader should be respected. Though am not hell bent on on these, if his position and deposition deserve it, why not ? Don't think it is a huge effort for a journalist.
This may come out inappropriate to some, anyways. Now in the peak west neo-liberals fight like nuts about how their pronouns should be addressed and it sometimes comes out as tragically comic public freakout. Have seen Indian corporate MNC staff copy the same and at least some of them announcing their pronouns in first sentance of emails, linkedin, etc. They get tons of agreeable encouraging people too listening. But, people now have problems with using respectful words where it is well deserved.
> Rich and upper middle class. Same everywhere.
Not always necessarily.
