Open Forum
New Delhi, 26 February 2020
Understanding Nationalism
NO SCOPE FOR RELIGIOUS PRIMACY
By Dhurjati Mukherjee
Nationalist feelings
are crucial for every country. Mahatma Gandhi talked of nationalism to win the
independence struggle in a non-violent way against the British. Keeping
national interest in mind is the primary need of any government so as to ensure
that every citizen lived with dignity. This obviously requires both economic
growth and social justice as fundamental to the establishment and progress of a
nation.
According to eminent
historian Romila Thapar, “Nationalism as it evolved historically was inclusive
and drew on the idea of the unification of diverse groups to form a new
community of citizens. Concepts of nations based on a single exclusive identity
– religious, linguistic, ethnic and similar single identities are actually
pseudo nationalisms”. Hindutva ideologue, V. D. Savarkar politicised religion
and propagated Hindu nationalism as Indian nationalism, dwelling on cultural,
racial and religious unity than the unity of citizens. He presented a tainted
view that the community of Hindus forms nationalism while other minorities will
either have to submerge their identities or live at the mercy of majority.
Recently, economist
Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia after the launch of his book Backstage pointed out
the need for restoring calm and social harmony, adding that “not only is social
harmony desirable in itself, it is also necessary for investment to flourish
and generate growth”. According to him,
dissent in a democratic society cannot be suppressed in the name of nationalism
and advised the government to talk to people and resolve their real problems.
Ahluwalia observed that a stable society was critical for development and
growth of a robust economy.
It has to be
understood that the very foundation of constitutional democracy rests on
liberty, equality and fraternity. Obviously, there is no scope for religious
supremacy in understanding nationalism. Unfortunately, the ruling party has
been using the nationalism card to demonise a community and trying to project
that Indian nationalism and Hindu nationalism are the same.
The ruling party’s
adoption of such a strategy to garner more votes is obviously dangerous to
social justice and hampers social harmony. A political system that is wedded to
democratic ideals and talks of good governance and inclusion should not project
religion as the cornerstone of its political philosophy. Moreover, even if the
party does believe in some ideals, this should find resemblance in government
functioning.
Questions have been
raised whether such a strategy will be effective among educated Hindus and
those living in cities. Moreover, a significant section of the population
living in West Bengal, Odisha and the South Indian States are followers of
Swami Vivekananda who strongly advocated unity of all religions. Keeping in
view these trends, the strong development and welfare pitch that the AAP
leaders harped on, brought the right dividends in Delhi and was more effective
than false notions of nationalism, as being flogged by the BJP.
It may be mentioned
here that the ‘bijli maaf, paani maaf’ (electricity and water free) model
coupled with revitalising government schools and hospitals, benefitting the
poor and the economically weaker sections and even the lower income groups
obviously translated into votes and ensured a massive victory for the AAP. If
mohalla (neighbourhood) clinics help the cause of the poor and ensure them
affordable treatment, if government schools have the required student-teachers
engagement, as in Delhi, what else is needed for a country like India, where
the bottom segments of the population are deprived of basic necessities?
Political analysts
believe that though the BJP would continue with its nationalism agenda, it
would be very difficult for it to make inroads in States such as West Bengal in
the elections later this year. However, in Bihar the secular face of Chief
Minister and JD(U) President Nitish Kumar may help salvage the situation to an
extent.
The majority of the
political class of the country sadly are seen to be merely interested in self-gain
but seek to woo voters through cheap publicity and gimmicks. Many a leader is
also seen to resort to violence and aggressive behaviour and would be found to
be involved, directly or indirectly in ‘corrupt’ deals. They have no vision and
programme for a socio-economic transformation that would benefit the poor and
economically weaker sections of society who even after more than seven decades
of independence struggle for a dignified existence.
The other crucial
part of a government is to ensure economic justice to around 60 per cent of the
population who live in villages. At present the situation is not encouraging as
policies are largely seen to be geared towards the rich and middle income
sections of society. With budgetary allocations for programmes that could
alleviate sufferings of the impoverished sections being reduced and basic
necessities heading towards privatisation, will not the disparity widen
further?
Obviously, one-sided
airing of philosophical doctrines without heed to the needs to the lowest
segments of society cannot keep a community or a nation happy. There has to be
all-round, effective developmental plans, specially in education and health
care, to win the support of the masses through increased livelihood incomes.
Alienation of one
community against another and creating social chaos cannot be the basis for
acceptability of a political party. As there is lack of proper education in the
country, the unemployed youth, who lack means to livelihood, are unfortunately swayed
by misleading slogans of nationalism. If India would have been a truly educated
society, the ruling party would not have been able to win votes as it does by
airing perverted notions of nationalism.
The whole idea of
governance is not to project nationalism through theoretical and prejudiced
propositions but to implement policies that lead to effective and inclusive
developmental policies. Experts point out that a harmonious society can bring
prosperity to the people at the grass-root and this is essential for a country
like India. Moreover, it needs to be reiterated that economic development
percolating to the lowest tiers – and not talks of nationalism –is the need of
the hour.
The whole community
has to be integrated in the social frame to implement development goals.
Theories of nationalism, if understood a little deeply, focus on love,
compassion and fellow-feeling amongst the community who should work together as
an integrated whole, irrespective of caste, class and religion, following the
ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. Can the present government be a vehicle to undertake
the much-desired social and economic transformation that would in effect inject
a feeling of true nationalism? Introspection and a holistic view would go a
long way.---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
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