Like most of the political phenomenon, even the practice of Nationalism is not a static one. It changes with the changing political equations of the political forces and assumes the expressions which are very diverse. As such the phenomenon of Nationalism has a long journey and various state policies in particular have used it for purposes which relate more to the power of the state ‘vis a vis’ its people, power of the state ‘vis a vis’ the neighboring countries among others.
In India there has been a certain change in the practices of the state which have transformed the meaning of Nationalism during last few years. Particularly with BJP, the Hindu Nationalist outfit gaining simple majority, it has unfolded the policies where one can discern the drastic change in the meaning and application of Nationalism in regard to its citizens, particularly those belonging to minority community, with regard to those who are liberal, and with those who stand with the concept of Human rights.
Our former Prime Minister of Dr. Manmohan Singh hit the nail on the head when he said that “Nationalism and the "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" slogan are being misused to construct a "militant and purely emotional" idea of India that excludes millions of residents and citizens. Former Prime Minister recently stated this in an apparent attack on the BJP.” The occasion was the release of a book, ‘Who is Bharat Mata’, edited by Purushottam Agarwal and Radhakrishna. This is a compilation of significant extracts from writings of Nehru, and important assessments of and contributions of Nehru by prominent personalities.
Dr. Singh went on to add "With an inimitable style…Nehru laid the foundation of the universities, academies and cultural institutions of Modern India. But for Nehru's leadership, independent India would not have become what it is today," This statement of Dr. Singh has great importance in contemporary times, as Nehru is being denigrated by Hindu nationalists for all the problems which India is facing today and attempts are on to undermine his role and glorifying Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. This is also significant as it gives us the glimpses of what Nationalism meant for Nehru.
As Singh’s statement captures the present nationalism being practiced by BJP and company, the Hindu nationalists, immediately shot back saying that Dr. Singh is supporting the anti India activities at JNU and Jamia and his party is supporting the anti India nationalists. They asked whether Singh likes the nationalism of the likes of Shashi Tharoor or Manishankar Ayer who are provoking the Shaheen Bagh protest rather than making the protestors quiet. Whether he likes the anti national protests which go on at JNU or Jamia? As per them there is no Nationalism in Congress. One more example being cited is the private visit of Shatrughan Sinha who talked to Pakistani President during his visit there recently!
Most of the arguments being used to oppose Dr. Singh are very superficial. What is being referred to; is not opposition to Indian nationalism and its central values which were the core of anti colonial struggles. While ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ may not be acceptable to a section of population, even the book he was releasing has the title ‘Who is Bharat Mata’. What is being stated by Singh is the twist which slogan ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ has been used by Hindu nationalists to frighten the religious minorities.
Indian nation came into being on the values, which later were the foundation of Indian Constitution. Indian Constitution carefully picked up the terminology which was away from the concepts of Hindu or Muslim nationalism. That’s how the country came to be called as ‘India that is Bharat’. The freedom of expression which was the hallmark of freedom movement and it was given a pride of place in our Constitution. It respected the diversity and formulated rules where the nation was not based on particular culture, as Hindu nationalists will like us to believe, but cultural diversity was centrally recognized in the Constitution. In addition promoting good relations with neighbors and other countries of the World was also part of our principles.
JNU, Jamia and AMU are being demonized as most institutions so far regard the freedom of expression as a core part of Indian democracy. These institutions have been thriving on discussions and debates which have base in liberalism. Deliberately some slogans have been constructed to defame these institutions. While Constitution mandates good relations with neighbors, creation of ‘Anti Pakistan hysteria’ is the prime motive of many a channels and sections of other media, which are servile to the ideology of ruling Government. They also violate most of the norms of ethical journalism, where the criticism of the ruling party is an important factor to keep the ruling dispensation in toes.
A stifling atmosphere has been created during last six years. In this the Prime Minster can take a detour, land in Pakistan to have a cup of tea with Pakistan PM, but a Congress leader talking to Pakistani President is a sign of being anti National. Students taking out a march while reading the preamble of Indian Constitution are labeled as anti-national; and are stopped while those openly wielding guns near Jamia or Shaheen Bagh roam freely.
Nationalism should promote amity and love of the people; it should pave the way for growth and development. Currently the nationalism which is dominant and stalking the streets has weakened the very fraternity, which is one of the pillars of our democracy. Nehru did explain that Bharat Mata is not just our mountains, rivers and land but primarily the people who inhabit the land. Which nationalism to follow was settled during the freedom movement when Muslim nationalism and Hindu nationalism were rejected by the majority of people of India in favor of the Nationalism of Gandhi, Nehru, Patel and Maulana Azad, where minorities are equal citizens, deserving affirmative action. In today’s scenario the Hindu nationalists cannot accept any criticism of their policies.
Comments
Narrow minded Mr. Shetty, in gulf countries somany Hindu girls are working under Arabs/Muslims for the sake of money. Why don't you term them condition to work under Hindus in India.
need job in muslim firm in ramdhan time many hindu womens weariing burka and coming to collect zakat money are you bother about tiz know because need money what a joke ramesh shetty
For your kind information most of all muslim firm many hindu relgious girls working and aslo many bachelore hindu girls working in gulf country tiz is allowed ,what you called for tiz love jihad or love jihd in gulf country shame on you uncultred people....
Rakesh Shetty : people like you are called narrow minded..... Grow up.
i dont understand why people like Rakesh Shetty are so much worried about popularity of Islam.
if they can track who is visiting whom in the locality, I wonder why these goons didnt reach sister Bhavani's house, who died at Janavasati Colony in Puttur taluk’s Vidyapur , and not a single saviour of hindu religion came forward to cremate her.
i wish these goons help their own hindu Koraga families living in shambles in Kulshekar.
And hope the police exhibit same proactiveness to stop moral.policing, drug menace, rapes and control law and order in the district.
looks like police dept is only interested in supporting moral.policing and protecting cows
Non-sence statement given by One Mr. Rakesh Shetty. Why that one sided policy? There are many cases of "Kesari Jihad" by the Saffronists in the recent days. Open your narrow-mindedness before you give such statement.
ಶ್ರೀಯುತ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿಯವರೆ,
ಇಸ್ಲಾಂ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಕರ್ತನ ಧರ್ಮ. ಈ ವಿಶ್ವವನ್ನು ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಸಿದ ಏಕೈಕ ಜಗದೊಡೆಯನನ್ನು ಆರಾಧಿಸುವುದು ಮಾತ್ರವಾಗಿದೆ ಇಸ್ಲಾಂ ಕಲ್ಫಿಸುವುದು. ಅದಲ್ಲದೆ ತಾವೇ ಸ್ವತಃ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದವುಗಳನ್ನು ಪೂಜಿಸುವ ಗತಿಗೇಡು ಮುಸ್ಲಿಮರಿಗಿಲ್ಲ. ಯಾರಾದರೂ ಹಾಗೆ ಮಾಡಿದರೆ (ಶಿರ್ಕ್ ಮಾಡಿದರೆ) ಧಾರ್ಮಿಕವಾಗಿ ಅವರು ಮುಸ್ಲಿಮರೂ ಅಲ್ಲ. ಇನ್ನು ಬಲತ್ಕಾರದಿಂದ, ಹಣದಾಸೆಯಿಂದ ಯಾರನ್ನಾದರೂ ಹಿಡಿದು ಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಅವರ ಮೇಲೆ ಹೇರುವ ಗತಿಗೇಡು ಮುಸ್ಲಿಮರು ಮಾಡಿಲ್ಲ, ಮಾಡುವುದೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಈ ಧರ್ಮದ ಸುಂದರ ಆಶಯವನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ಆಕರ್ಷಿತರಾಗಿ ಜನರು ಇಸ್ಲಾಮನ್ನು ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆಯೇ ಹೊರತು, ಮುಸ್ಲಿಮರನ್ನು ಕಂಡಲ್ಲ. ಅಲ್ಲಾಹನು ತಾನು ಉದ್ದೇಶಿಸುವವರನ್ನು ಸನ್ಮಾರ್ಗದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ನೀವು ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಖುರ್ ಆನನ್ನು ಕಲಿಯಿರಿ.
ಇಸ್ಲಾಂ ಇಹಲೋಕ ಜೀವನ ಮತ್ತು ಮುಸ್ಲಿಮರ ಜನಸಂಖ್ಯೆಗೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ಪ್ರಾಶಸ್ತ್ಯ ನೀಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಬದಲಾಗಿ ಪಾರತ್ರಿಕ ಜೀವನದ ವಿಜಯವೇ ಅದರ ಉದ್ದೇಶ. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಜಯಶಾಲಿಯಾಗಬೇಕಾದರೆ ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರನ್ನು ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಸಿದ ಆ ಅಲ್ಲಾಹನ್ನು ಮಾತ್ರ ಆರಾಧಿಸಬೇಕು. ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ವ್ಯರ್ಥವಾಗಿ ತರ್ಕಿಸಿ ಯಾವುದೇ ಫಲವಿಲ್ಲ.
This is a case of Love jihad, Great Job by Bajrang Dal. we dont have any problem if muslims girls visit our houses. but we condemn hindu Girls visiting Muslim houses. Muslims will do Taqiya to convert hindus by hook or crook,
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