On the
16th day of May month of the year 2014 there was political change in my
country. Though everyone expected that there would be an ideological change as
well, I personally felt if there is an ideological change then my country would
only be pulled many years back. Saffronisation, the cow slaughter issue,
imposing of uniform civil code, moral policing by right-wing activists and so
on would only hinder the growth of my country.
Yes, as an
individual who wish to see the country move ahead of the other developed and
developing countries it is appropriate to oppose these ideological changes.
Having such views according to some is “patriotism” Amazingly there are some who
oppose the ideological imposing in a different way and call themselves “Nationalist”.
Now I am
really confused if I am a Patriot or a Nationalist???
My
confusion in this issue does not cloud my thinking process to call those who
raise the slogan like “Bharat ki barbadi
tak jang rahegi jang rahegi” and those who bad-mouth the Indian
Armed Force as traitors. Astonishingly by calling them traitors I become
intolerant.
If I
express my displeasure on Pakistan flag being hoisted in Kashmir, Kerala or
West Bengal, I am termed Bhakt.
If I credit
Bhakti Movement as the foundation for Indian Freedom Struggle, I am accused of
projecting Hindutva, I would be termed Hindu Fundamentalist.
If I quote
a verse from a Hindu scriptures to give clarification on the prevailing
affairs, I am considered Manuvadi and automatically I am Anti-Dalit.
In other words
I am not a Nationalist.
If
prerequisite qualities are necessary to be to be a Nationalist it is not my cup
of coffee.
Let us not
get confused with patriotism here. “Saare Jahan Se Accha, Hindustan Hamara”
is the patriotic zeal in us but now we need another slogan which does not
limit us, the slogan should be “Sarve jana sukhino bhavanthu.”
We
Indians need to shed the ideals of nationalism, embrace an ideology based
purely on morality, re-affirm our faith in the diversity of our great land and
allow the ideology of non-violent protests. After all, that is how we got
Independence. There was no category as Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian while
we fought the British, we stood united. The British while leaving this country
cunningly infused the divide policy and we adopted it and ironically we are
using it even today. Will not the nations sharing border with us take advantage
of our infighting???
I remember
here an incidence in Mahabharata when Duryodhana was held captive by
Chitraratha, a Gandharva King. Yudhisthira commanded Arjuna and Bhima to fight with
the Gandharvas and rescue Duryodhana. When Yudhisthira was questioned about his
decision to help his arch rival the Kaurava prince, he said:
Paraih
paribhave prapte vayam panchotaram shatam,
Paraspara
virodhetu vayam panchaiva, te shatam!
Meaning:
In a conflict with outsiders, we are 105. In the dispute between ourselves, we
are 5 and they are 100.
We need
patriots who think in that order. Thus we can work to better the morals of our
citizens and in the process, create a better World, not just a Great Nation. We
need patriots who can, without fear, ask the Indian state any question they
wish. We need patriots who feel proud when the state does good, feel ashamed
when the state does bad and feel angry when the state oppresses. Yet when it
comes to the dignity of the state, we need stand united and fight the external
menace.
We need
patriots whose driving principles are strong morals that never get swayed by
race, religion, caste and nationality. We don’t need nationalists and hence, I
proudly declare myself a Patriot not a Nationalist.
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