Modern Indian Nationalist Paradigms
“My nationalism, fierce though it is, is not exclusive, nor aggressive, nor destructive is not devised to harm any nation or individual.” — Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Nationalism is portrayed as love for one’s nation that instils a sense of national pride as ably as encouraging national development and unity. Nationalism, though demarcated immoral, is not inherently evil. Devotion to a nation can bring out transcending qualities in people, facilitating selflessness, courage and relative idealism.
In its chronicled history, India, a land of diversity, has emerged through a nationwide nationalist movement, which attested to unity, liberty and a sense of belonging for the people. Behind every successful nationalist movement has been a certain unifying factor, a shared language, a shared territory, a shared religious faith and a common enemy.
Indian nationalism, not now, has never been based on a shared language, religion or ethnic identity.
Humanity does not require a narrow but broad sense of nationalism. Humanism goes beyond any boundaries or barriers and seeks a large common place where humanity comes before any kind of identity. With the aggressive rise of racism and caste-based disintegration of our society, it has faded.
Striving to theorise the phenomenon of fascism and render it serviceable for Hindu nationalism has made problematic the usefulness of fascist paradigms. Hindu nationalism is seen as a specific Indian manifestation of a generic phenomenon but not one that belongs to the genes of fascism.
After all, it was a nationalist movement which got India its liberty from the British raj under the able guidance of nationalist leaders. It has considerably succoured development on a large scale. Thus nationalism is much more than just a political ideology, it indicates the relationship of the individual with his community.
The discussion of nationalism, a humanitarian concern or political strategy goes way beyond, but as a developing nation, we are ready to watch it unfold and flourish in the contemporary era.
