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
who knows with immense pressure from policticans he might have been framed ..becoz ruling party needs one particular community votes and we know how murders of prashanth poojari and vaman poojari ( witness in murder ) got closed .vaman poojaris death shown as suicide .prashanth poojari murder cases all accused are getting acquitted .one jihadi who shouted islamic war cry while butchering our prashant poojari was standing next to abhaya chandra jain ... so conspiracy theory cannot be ruled out ... ankit is just accused and he is not proven guilty , so let our court decide who is culprit ... we dont talk in rubbish language like hang him , shoot him ... as we are not living in third rated countries , which asks proof from males if rape has hapened ...such a pathetic rules ...long live sangh parivar ... jaio sri ram
Narianna....are you not aware that the bloody goon has admitted his criminal deeds... Are u still in the influence of snake food ??? ....
If he comes out within 10 days, I will be not surprised, since we know the DNA of Indians .... as it happened in the case of Sadvi and Akshamdam cases....
I dont think he has stabbed ..if proved , let him be punished for murder ... but certainly not for silly silly cases ...
comment #16 , first ninna community members ge lecture kodu mama ... no need to advise billawa leaders ... third rated kelasa maaadtha irodu nimma jana maarre ... Mr Kazi , we are not living in third rated country to hang anyone without trial and he has not done any major mistake ... anyways he will come out within 10 days ...love to see many one particular community guys using hindu names and posting their frustration .:) hahaha ...
before punishing this culprit, find which VHP criminal is behind this idiot fellow and put him in the jail forever
These Billava boys are brain washed by RSS leaders. Why can't they brain wash their own children for such criminal act? No they will send their children to abroad for higher studies and for job.
Billava leaders must open their mind and guide their youngsters the real motto of these RSS leaders and keep them away from their bhakthi. etc.
baddy maga, i am waiting for him to get in case like this, he s flying all the time in our colony, police should break his leg again he should not enter our place.
Viren, right is right and wrong is wrong....where is the proof for your allegation against minorities....totally rubbish.....This criminal has been thought to do this by Sanghis to promote communal disharmony around.....
Good job police, specially the mosque for installing CCTV camera, otherwise this criminal would have went scott free. Give him harshest punishment so that others should learn good lesson from it....
Viren ..........No killing justfied .....as far as Nationalism concern no one need your Help...thay all know who you are and your dirty RSS and its wings....so keep your Brahmanism with you at home ....we all know who killed RTI Activists that too being a HINDU....OK ...adella OK neevu ee deshadalli dwesha YAKE ...saaka ?
Elli Nyaya illavo allide ....karya...
send him out of india, hang him to death,,,very dangerous people....
lets pray for his family, god bless u all.
this is a serious issue, should consider him as a main suspect of all the crime and should investigate properly all the goons should be caught and punished properly, my big suggestion is to cut the legs of these type of goons and let them sit on streets for begging,
Very Sad news rickshaw driver, \let his soul rest in peace\" but killing in Hindustan, stone pelting in Hindustan all these doing are really condemnable, but this Criminal does not look like Poojary Family definitely I belong too but his Nature his body language looks like \"Cross Breed\" you readers must have understood that means must Illegal!!!!!!! so you Understand our Local language says for that type of Goons, he never ever can become a good Human, if you punish or put in Jail whatever you do Tail of \"DOG\" can never become straight
Jai hoo Modianna"
guilty must be punished.
Every crime is condemnable. but, we all know that you are a nationalist. If compared to the crime of those who back stab our motherland what u did is nothing.
totally Brain washed by the RSS goons.
lets kill this dog in street by stone.
Should be put on Lie detector, to get the details of his masters / brain washers / supporters .... Afterwords should be hanged in a public place .... as a lesson for the other goons of the coastal districts ...
hang him to death, these type of creatures are creating trouble to the society.
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