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
Arif.... U r right Talaq happens in all community but there is control over it & justice is there for both women n men, but here some Muslims just throw girls like a saliva, if need swallow it no need spit it. Talaq means her life is ruined forever bcoz ur community doesnt give chance or educate women which will lead her life miserable but in other community its not like that if a Women is divorced very next day she will be mingling with society as if nothing happened , life should move for everyone as we are all humans.
Mr Mujeeeb, control ur tongue , i am a proud namazi muslima ... i have great faith in my religion and i am also strong believer in my country's constitution . we need justice which is guaranteed in the constitution . you cannot understand the trauma , i wish ur sisters or daughters must face the similar situation , then you will understand the pain which i felt . Comment no 9, what do you think about women ? is marrying a change of dress ,even we have feelings . dont float irresponsible comments . be it handful of crores of women , we need common civil code , so that we can gril people who are evading responsibilities under the garb of religious laws .
@Lloyd Dsouza,
The people who mis-use the triple talaq is very few. It is minority within minority. Talaq is not a favorable thing in Islam, neither it is encouraged. It is last option for the couple to separate, instead of bearing each other f
God Almighty has revealed a separate Chapter on divorce - At-Talaq. (Holy Quran:65). Divorce in Islam is not as how you see in India or anywhere else. Also... It is in the Holy Quran that you can marry four wives ONLY if you can do JUSTICE among them.. Do read it..and understand. may He guide us all.
Triple Talaq.....means u can marry any women then Divorce anytime & find again anyone. U mean u r committing Adultery.
Someone above said we have to read Quran to understand Islam properly, agreed we will read but what u people doing after reading Quran properly if u read it properly u should have been good example to others so that people may inspire by you to read Quran.
Reasons for Divorce :
A NRI from Dubai married a girl from kerala after a month of enjoyment with her he went to Dubai & announced Divorce through phone ....y? Reason he fulfilled his sexual desire from her.
A women who cant give birth to Male child will also get divorced.
A Women became old then shez no more beautiful , u can divorce?
A Man found & love with other girl after marriage also will divorce in Name of triple talaq.
If these things are good according to u & Quran i really dont want to read it.
more or less Muslims are ignorant and uneducated about triple talak method....religious preachers should shed more light on this matter in every nukes and corners of India...like how it should be done etc....as far as Mrs. Shahida, she is right from her view point and experience....many women are suffering from misused way of giving talak in India....which is not at all good....if we cant fix this problem somebody else will easily put their nose in to it (BJP & RSS)...scary....
Dear Mr. Ponder, You told correct let all human being in India study Quran with meaning then they will understand the value of Triple Talaq. This Mrs. Shahida didnot practice Islam correctly and she do not know about Islam and Quran as well as Hadith. So let her first make the study of Islam properly before supporting such finger count women group..
Shahida, if you have no respect to Islam and Sharia, why dont you leave it and accept other religion which will give you more respect than islam. Why are you favoring change in sharia whereas 99.99 percent women are favoring it and dont want any change in Sharia. Dont be a Munafiq. None is forcing you to practice Sharia. You have no right to ask for change in Sharia. It will remain unchanged at any cost. We dont need name sake people like you. If you want to follow Saitaan go ahead and enjoy his company. If you have no respect for men, dont get married to any man and better marry a female or else. NCW has no right to interfere in Muslim personal law. NCW is not concerned about the tragedies being faced by muslim women and they are worried about Talaq. This is disgusting and unacceptable. It will be better if NCW keeps away from Talaq issue. This is not your headache. Its our issue and we will solve it. You should not and never change a rule in favor of 0.0000001 percent misguided and hired women.
Sister Shahida,
If your husband had given you divorce, forget him for ever. Live as dignified woman with respect and honor instead of leading life as his slave. Islam has given you right to remarry a man of your choice.
Our Moulanas need to study Quran , for the procedures laid down for Talaq .... If that is followed, there will not be such situations ....
Why the men are in a hurry to give the talaq in one saying .... let them wait for 3, 3, 3 months period and complete the talak procedures as per quran ....
Why boycott polygamy???
Bcos it gives security, clothing, food, shelter to more women and their children?
Bcos it upholds the statuses of women in the society?
Bcos it gives her protection and honor in the society?
Bcos it gives a widows a chance to lead a decent life?
Bcos it gives a un-married aged woman a chance to have a husband and have a decent life?
Why no boycott for having unlimited girl friends, live-in relationships???
Bcos it ruins the life of women?
Bcos it hardly gives any statuses to women in the society?
Bcos it doesn't guarantee security, clothing, food, shelter for women?
Bcos it doesn't give protection to the children after the affairs?
Polygamy is much more than fulfilling the sexual desire of men.
Just imagine giving divorce thru our existing slow lethargic judicial systems, you ask for divorce and wait for 2-3 years to get the response. If the women who happens to seek the divorce from a drunkard, she has to bear him till court gives the clearance.
I oppose instance triple Talaq which is not a part of Islam, but I appreciate the triple Talaq system which gives protection to family system from breaking away so easily without giving proper due process of mutual consultation and settling the scores between husband and wife, involving people from two parties and with the final arbitration from the local khazi of the place.
These are all the bunch of women who destroyed the life of their husbands. Merely a handful number are not representing 20 crores. Ignore them those who are ignorant about their religion.
READ QURAN:
Whole mankind will understand who is Ignorant and who's not?
QURAN is a manual for whole of Mankind and not just muslims or arabs...
There are many Laws that will be understood only when you use your intellect and find the reason and logic behind such divine law..
ALLAH(God) has given intellect to everyone of his creation i.e HUMAN... and we should utilize it ... Unless we find out by research and reason and logic we are ending up just like the animals which is also a creation of God...
May ALLAH guide us all and to understand the divine law better and to implement with faith...
Yes, Your name is Shahida.
ShahidaMMa, Please fight for equal rights under constitution. Uniform Civil Code is what you need - good for you.
There should be no gender bias, Let women get same treatment as men
Let us first start off with;
- Special bus, queues, seats for women, should be banned.
Then we can talk of implementing No gender bias under Uniform Civil Code!! LOL!
#2 Shahida, if you want to bring this law, and if you know the pain, then dont get delay go and marry Mr. Modi.
We want equal rights under constitution . How long can we sustain this great injustice ? me being a divorcee , i know the pain and mental trauma . Central govt must bring this rule .muslim women have faced and continue to face gender bias .
- Prostitution in India [ 3 Million women according to reports ] continues, breaking the existing law.
- Live-In Relationships, ruining lives of men and more of a women.
- Unmarried Females, Having no choice in personal life - God save them!
Add new comment