Bharatiya Nationalism: A Perspective

Article One of The Constitution of India – “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States”, clearly reflects our collective desire to remain connected with shared glorious ancestry. Narratives generally become hazy due to heat generated during discussions on Nationalism, Patriotism, Culture and such like subjects. Since I am a veteran soldier of the Indian Army, every symbol and belief of my country holds a special place in my heart. In order to satisfy my quest for learning, I decided to explore some of these subjects by following the keynote of Vedic Inquiry, Neti Neti. This expression which means Not this; Not this, is the method of Vedic Analysis through negation, described in Third Brahmana (1-6) of Brahad – Aranyaka Upanishad. While deciding to travel along the aforementioned path, I was greatly influenced by a very illuminating statement made by Professor Powick at Oxford University in 1930. He mentioned that “The Craving for an interpretation of history is so deep-rooted that, unless we have a constructive outlook over the past we are drawn either to mysticism or to cynicism.” 

Two schools of thoughts i.e. Traditionalists and Modernists attempt to explain the concept of Nations and Nationality from their respective perspectives. Traditionalists maintain that nation hood, as a sentiment existed perhaps as far back as antiquity and not only in Europe but throughout the world.  Modernists are of the view that the concept of Nation emerged in Europe during the nineteenth century or possibly some time before, with catalysts of the process being French and Industrial Revolutions. Thus, Nations are product of processes involving social integration and political mobilisation which resulted in creation of large populations from hitherto small, scattered communities. For the purpose of further analysis, it is proposed that an explanation of terms Nationalism and Patriotism, given by Azar Gat be considered as reasonable. According to him, “Nationalism conventionally denotes the doctrine and ideology that a population is bound together in solidarity, fate and common political aspirations. This doctrine and ideology became the paramount principle of political legitimacy in the nineteenth century. In reality, pre modern people also felt and exhibited love and devotion for their ethno political community. Such national devotion was merely one particular form of the well recognised phenomenon of Patriotism, one’s attachment and devotion to one’s state and people.”

Glimpses of the pre-partition geographical entity reveal a mosaic of states and ethnicities. Many of the earlier city-states (Mahajanpadas) and regional states exhibit the unrealised potential of forming the basis of enduring nation-states. Notably, two Indian Empires, Maurya (322-185 BC) and Gupta (AD 320-550) were also established in the subcontinent. Three sets of imperial rulers prior to the independence were from outside; Afghans of Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526), Mughals (1526- the eighteenth century, officially abolished in 1858) and British (mid-eighteenth century to 1947). Close scrutiny indicates that Imperial Rules in Indian history could only destroy incipient national states but were unable to bring about grass-root cultural levelling. British Colonial rule was deeply resented and from late nineteenth century Nationalism with distinct and traditional Indian Character began to find expression. An extremely cogent speech made by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak at Ahmednagar on 31 May 1916, addressed the question, ‘Who is an alien’ with absolute clarity. He said,” I do not consider him an alien who wishes to make an arrangement whereby that country in which he has to live, his children have to live and his future generations have to live, may see good days and is benefitted. He may not perhaps go with me to the same temple to pray to God, perhaps there may be no intermarriage and inter-dining between him and me. All these are minor questions. But, if a man is exerting himself for the good of India, and takes measures in that direction, I do not consider him an alien……The King’s duty is to do all those things whereby the nation may become eminent, be benefited, rise and become equal of other nations. He is to be considered alien, who does not do this duty, but looks only for his own benefit and to the benefit of his original country.” The sentiments expressed, more than a century ago, by an illustrious nationalist, clearly establish the defining facet of Bharat’s nationalism. This inclusiveness oriented concept based on the individuals striving towards the collective good of the homeland deserves to be treated as the fountain head of all nationalistic beliefs.

We are now, an adult nation with an enduring common belief in the mantra – ‘Country Before Self’. Our birth was witnessed by a Stoic Population, experiencing two contrasting emotions simultaneously. This generation felt the euphoria of the freedom and horrors of partition in the same time frame. Development strategies followed by our country had not been along the path of undifferentiated continuum. The process has been redefined and realigned to match the environmental realities of different periods. We remained Patient Population in the first quarter-century, post-independence. Striking features of this period were armed conflicts with neighbours, sincere efforts undertaken to create stable institutions and a slow rate of growth in controlled economic conditions. Our unwavering nationalism greatly contributed towards tiding over these tough times. An Apprehensive Population faced next 15 years of economic uncertainties, assassinations of National Political leaders and World’s March towards unipolarity which culminated in collapse of USSR in 1991, with great resolve. Next twenty years were the sunshine period of economic liberalisation, availability of high-end information, communication technology and steady growth. An Expectant Population which exhibited considerable liberal attitude, lived through this consumer-driven, newly found prosperity. In this period also citizens maintained absolute devotion towards the nation, as was aptly demonstrated during Kargil Conflict in 1999. India survived the World’s economic crisis of 2008 and continued moving along the economic growth path. In present times, when power balances are being recalibrated, xenophobic inclinations are prevalent in many nations and the situation has universally turned ultra-complicated due to Pandemic, citizens of Bharat stand united, tied by the bond of Nationalism.  It is evident that our Nationalism is a very strong and cherished belief.  This leads to us to the first query – Does our nation lacks the spirit of Nationalism in any manner? Neti Neti.

Contours of the Present: India is a stable democracy with a population of 1.33 billion people, which comprises many linguistic groups with thirty of them having over 1 million speakers. Post the partition of the sub continent in 1947, Independent India has always remained united as a nation. Indian society is multi religious. Census data mentions six main religions and also the followers of several indigenous tribal religions.   Citizens are part of a secular country which has adapted Lion Capital of Ashoka, from Sarnath, as State Emblem. 12th Edict of Emperor Ashoka, may be considered as the guiding spirit behind the form of secularism adopted by India. Theme of this edict is Religious Tolerance. Approximately translated, it states – “The King, beloved of the Gods, honours every form of religious faith, but considers no gift or honour so much as the increase of the substance of religion; whereof this is the root, to reverence one’s own faith and never to revile that of others. Whoever acts differently injures own religion while he wrongs another’s.” So, in the light of aforementioned facts; Is Bharat’s National Spirit exclusively defined through the prisms of religious and linguistic affinities? Neti Neti.

The Way of Life: Indian Patriotism, Democracy and Secularism are three shining attributes which are respected throughout the world. Togetherness in intent is more important than the similarity of appearances. Ours is a big country with a rich past and bright future. It is sincerely requested that the opinion expressed by our Second President, the meritorious Philosopher and Educationist Professor S Radhakrishnan, while delivering lectures on The Hindu View of Life at Oxford in 1926, be pondered upon while discussing the richness of the religion followed by the majority population of our Bharat. He explained, “In Hinduism when the pupil approaches his religious teacher for guidance, the teacher asks the pupil about his favourite God, Ishtadevata, for every man has a right to choose that form of belief and worship which most appeals to him. The teacher tells the pupil that his idea is a concrete representation of what is abstract and leads him gradually to an appreciation of the absolute intended by it. Suppose a Christian approaches a Hindu Teacher for spiritual guidance, he would not ask his Christian Pupil to discard his allegiance to Christ but would tell him that his idea of Christ is not adequate and would lead him to the knowledge of real Christ the incorporate Supreme. Every God accepted by Hinduism is elevated and ultimately identified with the Central Reality which is one with the deeper self of man”.  The nationalism of Bharat is inclusive, very sacred, residing in our thoughts and heart. Four thousand years of collective wisdom shines as bright light to lead us in modern times. History is a progressive science and like any other subject involving investigation, should be explored without prejudices and biases.   

JAI HIND