Nationalism has been
interpreted differently by different writers across the globe. But the essence
of each one of them lies in defining nationalism as a sentiment dedicated to a
particular nation. It is an idea revealing people’s devotion and loyalty to
their respective nation. It also categorically reflects disposition of people
[a particular society in broader sense] in which they treat themselves cohesive
on the basis of history, values, traditions, language, culture and so on. Further, to work for the nation having
national interest as the nucleus is the foremost of the ideas of nationalism.
Thus, the idea of nationalism generally applies to a particular nation, a
country, or a nation-state, a word that emerged from contemporary Western
ideas.1
The one who is dedicated to
national interest and keeps the cause of the nation as the foremost in his
ideas and works, both, she/he is called a nationalist in general. In other
words, musing on nation’s interest and development, and striving to achieve it,
is the basis of one’s being a nationalist. Further, along with indigenous
values, culture, and language etc. prevailing circumstances of space and
available resources remain in the centre while work for nation’s growth is
undertaken. It is because these elements could ascertain national progress.
Categorically, the large scaled progress of the nation as per the demand of
time and space remain the supreme here. This, undoubtedly, paves the way for
the development of the nation concerned.
Basic elements, particularly
national values, culture, language and the way of living, are established
through a long process of development in all walks of life. National standards
set by a large-scaled consensus of people with the purpose of welfare of one
and all accord speed to that process. And people’s cooperation plays a vital
role in making this consensus and speed grow further. Those very standards are
in fact the signs of identity of people and their respective nation.
Religious mechanism has
contributed predominantly in setting, guiding and spreading values,
living-style and culture along with the view and way of life. These have also
remained the foremost in identifying national standards and people of a nation.
They are still significant in this regard. In context of India it can be said
with certainty as religious values have contributed unprecedentedly in the
making of the national culture, setting standards and for the identity of
Indians. In India, religious values have contributed distinctively in widening
the thought processes weaving a thread of unity among the people and instilling
in them a sense of dedication for
common causes. This is why; having the Indian context as the nucleus, I have
mentioned in one of my books entitled, The
India Way [Bharatiya Marg], “If
the Indian way and the Vedic-Hindu view of life are called supplementary to
one-another, there is nothing unusual in it.”
II
As per the general notion the
first aspect of Indian nationalism is fully dedicated to India’s unity and
integrity –in the building of a strong and a prosperous Bharat; essentially, in
the all-round progress of India. History of Indian nationalism is quite old,
perhaps oldest in the whole of the world. The supreme human values developed
from the Vedic-Hindu view of life2
predominantly while values of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism etc. in general have
chiefly contributed towards establishing and strengthening the Indian
nationalism. The welfare of one and all and broad outlook towards life remain
the basic spirit of Indian nationalism.
As the welfare of one and all
and broad outlook towards life are integrally connected to Indian nationalism;
strong and prosperous Bharat is in
reality committed to the progress of humanity at large; therefore, Indian
concept of nationalism is rather different from other viewpoints pertaining to
it. The nationalism of the Indian view is not similar to that one emerged and
developed during the contemporary time in the West. This dissimilarity from the
Western viewpoint is the second, but the real aspect of Indian nationalism.
The firm commitment of Indian
nationalism to the welfare and rise of one and all could be well perused from
the popular Vedic-Hindu mentions like
that of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam3 and Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah.4
It could be known from the tasks accomplished by great Indians for the whole of
humanity since ancient times. Indian nationalism in its basic spirit and intent
does not expect the solidarity and integrity of Bharat at the cost of others. It does not wish grabbing and
scrambling, or exploitation of others for the sake of India’s prosperity.
Rather, the nationalism of the Indian view could be observed in its longing for
others’ well-being and their defence on the basis of its own strength; in its
wish for others’ progress and prosperity through its own development. Hence,
the scope of Indian nationalism is very vast. Furthermore, nationalism of the Indian
view is broad enough. In
its real form it is undoubtedly committed to internationalism; further, Indian
nationalism is dedicated to universalism.
Generally, the concept of
nationalism is viewed and analyzed with a narrow outlook. Further, it seems
losing significance in these days of rapidly increasing process of
globalization. Even then, the nationalism of the Indian views, due to its call
for global-universal unity and rise of one and all, remains imperative and worth
considering. The notion of Indian nationalism is completely different from the
viewpoint of contemporary scientist like Elbert Einstein who declared nationalism
as a child disease. It is also contrary to the views of Albert Guerard
in which he found hatred in the concept of nationalism. Likewise, it has to do
nothing with that opinion of George Orwell, which reflects desire for power in ideas and practices in
the name of nationalism. On the
other hand, the nationalism of the Indian view could be well comprehended in
the proclamation of one of the great contemporary Indians like Guru Gobind
Singh in which he recognised all
of mankind as a single caste of humanity. It could be observed in the
basic spirit latent in the root of Swami Vivekananda’s belief of Dharma,
fully imbued with the spirit of duty and purity of heart; in the
statement, Satyamev Jayate of Madan Mohan
Malviya and in the slogan, Swarajya is
my birth right given by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Moreover, the reality of
Indian nationalism could be well previewed in the statement of Mahatma Gandhi
in which he said, “My National-Dharma is
for the whole of humanity” and in Swadeshi and decentralization-centred
ideas of integral humanism presented by
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya. All of them were the great contemporary Indians. They
were the best of Bharatiyas and finest nationalists as well.
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1. A concept
developed in the West identifying and accepting a particular territory as the nation-state on the basis of its own political legitimacy as a
sovereign entity.
2. In which the Supremacy of
God, human-unity, Ahimsa
[non-violence] and perpetuity of the law of change are of particular mention.
These values appear in the first Sukta
of the first chapter of the Rig-Veda
itself. Along with this, they appear categorically in Upanishads and other Vedic
treatises also.
3. Ayam nijah paroveti gananaa
laghuchetasaam udaaracharitaam tu vasudhaiv kutumbakam.
4. Sarve
bhavantu sukhinah, sarve santu nira-maya-ah; sarve
bhadranipashyantu ma-kaschit
dukha-bhag bhavet.
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