I do not doubt that some large percentage of the population did love and worship Stalin. But the “almost universally” might or might not be true—my point is that the degree to which he was genuinely loved is very uncertain and that uncertainty is not widely recognized.
I do not have reliable sources handy, but the widespread unfeigned mourning of his passing in 1953 seems to hint at genuine feelings.
I do not doubt that some large percentage of the population did love and worship Stalin. But the “almost universally” might or might not be true—my point is that the degree to which he was genuinely loved is very uncertain and that uncertainty is not widely recognized.