Nationalism

I don’t think that ours is the world’s greatest country.
                                                                                                             -Mohan Bhargav, Swades

Today let’s talk about nationalism. I know the above quote is a very weird way to start something on nationalism, but that’s the need of the hour. Nationalism is defined as ‘a feeling of love or pride for your own country; a feeling that your country is better than any other’. We have been taught about the history of this country, also that we should be proud of our country, and that we should try and serve the country. And that’s what we used to do, until some years back. Until the whole concept of Nationalism and making our country proud changed. A person who was being termed as a patriot since decades has suddenly became an ‘anti-national’, ‘Pakistani’, etc. Many people who make little or no sense have been elected as law-makers. There are people who celebrate when a minister asks a journalist, who questions him on behalf of the people, his ‘aukat’; when actually they should be condemning him.

How do you showcase your nationalism? By keeping the Indian National Flag as your profile picture for a few days before and after independence day and republic day? Or getting goosebumps all over your body while singing the national anthem in a cinema hall, where you would have gone to watch an adult movie? Or by paying tribute to the soldiers, post any random stuffs about them, and finally caption it as #Proud? Or by sharing some cooked-up stuff to defame anyone, with the tagline “Share this if you are a proud Indian” without knowing the appropriation of the fact? These days, it has become a culture to showcase your nationalism based on your religion, and your political preference during elections. If you belong to a certain religion, or if you are inclined/ gave vote in favour of a certain political party, then you are ‘more Indian’ than others, as you are  a part of the organization ‘that’s rebuilding India.’ Also, giving fiery speeches and getting motivated to even do the basic duties as a citizen only twice a year is our ancient tradition. So, are these the right ways to ‘show’ your love for your motherland? How else can I ‘prove’ that I love my country?

In the second decade of the 21st century, when things are worse than they were earlier, when ‘freedom’ and privacy are being snatched away from us by the BigState, ruled by the BigBoss, the country is surely in danger and it needs you. Not for the things that you are doing as a ‘patriot’, but what you should do as a basic citizen. In the recent years, farmer suicides, rapes and lynchings have become so common that we don’t even give it a second notice when we read it in the papers. We click our tongues on hearing about draughts, on the other hand we keep on wasting water. We ignore the call for action against some wrongdoings or some charity, like we ignore the yellow traffic light; we know they exist for a purpose, but that will create unnecessary hindrance in our lives, and would force us out of our comfort zone, which if God forbid, we would never want to leave. And anyways, these days, even the so-called well-educated people are also following the route of populism and changing their ideologies to factors, which they earlier considered as silly. You can’t call yourself a well-educated person if you go on spreading fake things, just because the word India is mentioned there.
‘Our soldiers are protecting us, in the scorching heat, rainy storms, and severe cold, by standing near the border.’ Or would it better, if the soldiers are being termed as BigBoss-ki-sena or even BigBoss, going with the populism context, or the general belief of the people. Sadly, this and the martyrdom of the soldiers in numerous terrorist attacks, were used as a political means to extract vote from the people. And the people, who think that it was BigBoss himself who ‘defeated Pakistan’, then words would fall short to describe you. The freedom fighters, who were respected till recently, have suddenly become ‘traitors’ and some Hindus, just because they followed the secular culture, were ‘Muslims’. Soldiers have become the favourite diversion for the people so that they would not ask questions. For example, after the Pulwama tragedy took place in the beginning of this year, very few  were concerned, as to how a vehicle filled with explosive entered such a sensitive area. Rest were spewing hatred against Pakistan, and ‘Waiting for BigBoss to strike back.’ Be proud of our soldiers, they are really brave, but they too have a life, a family. Don’t use them as a tool and at least don’t ‘declare wars’ from their side. While feeling proud for the soldiers, think if you are ‘worth protecting’.

Politics is less about issues, and more about endorsements now-a-days. Even, a ‘Promise Budget’ was passed this year. Ever wondered why it is like that? Because let’s be honest, we never gave a damn about issues anyway. Promises, hopes and the recently added advertisements are what we really have been voting for since generations. But in the recent years, our minds have been exploited and we are being kindled in the most sensitive areas, so that we won’t find a reason not to vote for the party. Journalism in India has almost died, and would better be called as propaganda now. So, everyday the news that you see, the debates on Prime Time and some ‘interesting facts’ are mainly bogus and are created for the purpose of brainwashing. So, if you believe that you are a great nationalist, then maybe you already have fallen into their trap.

So, what should a true ‘nationalist’ do? Ask questions. Questions that matter. Questions about your freedom and your indivisual identity. Trying to get the better when the people are ignorant, the Govt. is taking hold of autonomous institutions and bringing it under its control. Records are being hidden, opaqueness is being put on layer by layer, while you are dreaming that you are awake. Go out and talk with people about these things, and demand your rights. Because without rights, you are just a slave, working for the BigState. Hold proper debates and demonstrations, because everyone needs to be aware of the things that are happening in and around us, how we are being deceived into losing our rights and freedoms. According to a poem by Alexander Pope, “A little learning is a dangerous thing.” So, read and collect as much facts as possible, and don’t believe everything you see or hear. Never forget, India is a secular country; the blood of people of every religion was spilled in making this country independent, so don’t get flown away when someone tells you that your religion is in danger, because no religion ever was in danger nor can be; it’s the faith inside you that counts. Boycott meetings of ‘leaders’, who deliver hate speech or who don’t listen to you. Whatever the situation or the case maybe, stop giving bribes. And finally, keep your environment clean, and follow what you preach.

‘Our real problem in India is not political. It is social.’

Starts Tagore in his piece titled Nationalism in India. The politicians will make us dream, make us wander; the television will sell us propaganda and hatred; people will try and make fools of us many times, but are we ‘patriotic’ enough to resist these? If you fight back and don’t keep quiet, (Silence is not always golden, I swear) only then, my dear, you would be defending the foundation blocks on which this country was made on, and thus, you would be termed as a ‘real nationalist’.