NATIONALISM IN THE REIGN OF PM MODI

  14-Sep-2018 14:13:13

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What do we mean by Nationalism?


When we talk about Nationalism we discuss upon the topics related to the political, social and economic system of the country which is being characterized by the promotion and preserving the sovereignty in the interest of the home country. The ideology behind Nationalism as we can understand is that the Nation can govern itself in the most efficient manner without the interference of any outside power and is focused on its own goals. Nationalism is typically based on the motive to develop and preserve the National Identity, Culture, and Belief of the country in the world in a proper Common Ancestry. Also, as we understand the concept we know that Nationalism and Patriotism go hand in hand with a slight difference between the two. Nationalism is not a new concept that we know it is in existence since the 18th century and is governed by three basic principles that are:


A) Nationalism is a social Phenomenon which requires the socio-economic development from the Modern society to exist,

B) The second principle states that it is a dynamic phenomenon which states that the national symbols and goals are tied together,

C) Lastly, Nationalism is a natural phenomenon which implies that Nations have existed always and it is not that they have come into existence in the recent times.


What are the requirements for the development of nationalism in a country like India?


For individuals to express patriotism or as we call it, Nationalism, and their feeling, it is first important for them to recognize themselves as having or belonging to a particular nation, that can also be interpreted as that a society has something in common. The ascent of bringing together all the state governments under a single or central government(One-rule) which automatically makes this conceivable as a part of nationalism. The acknowledgment that they may have a typical history, religion or race likewise helped individuals in shaping a national character. At the point when both a typical personality and a formal specialist structure over an expansive region (i.e., the state) exist, at that point patriotism winds up conceivable.


This manifestation has been seen under the French Revolution, patriotism conveyed with it the idea of mainstream power, from which some have of the conjecture that patriotism can happen just in only Democratic Jurisdictions. In any case, this proposition is given a false representation of by the extreme patriotism that described the German Realm and later Nazi Germany. Where patriotism emerges, its particular shape is the result of every specific country's history.




Natiotionalism in India, 2018:


The current government of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has always played on the Nationalism Card; but it has not been as open, front and centre as it is under the government and projection of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, after almost 4.5 years of completion of their 5 years of tenure. The Prime Minister’s image in front of the public as a blatant Hindu Nationalist has given the political opposition an extra edge over the others. This has majorly coincided with the larger-socio political trends beyond India’s shores of a push back against globalization, rising protectionism, and de legitimization of institutions of global governance and the idea of shared sovereignty which has given all of us a new idea of nationalism a new way of life.


As we all know about the swift embrace of the honourable Supreme Court’s order to mandate the playing of the National Anthem in the cinema halls attests to the momentum that the force that has acquired in the minds of the people at large towards nationalism.


The publicised intent to make India into a global power connected with invocations of country’s lost glory (as we all are well versed on that point when India was regarded as the Golden Bird), the premium on the Yoga as well as the Sanskrit. We have even seen the Modi’s visits to the temples, have served to invest nationalism with a saffron hue-a process strengthened by the threat and fear caused by the terrorism mainly by way of Pakistan.


This patriot solidarity has a characteristic result in that it transforms rivals and in addition doubters into the "other" who should be stood up to even as their governmental issues and belief makes them BJP's enemies. This has made the discussion more heated on what constitutes patriotism with BJP's rivals enthusiastically fighting that it is driving India towards a culture of majoritarianism with cow vigilantism best representing the asserted content.


As we see up till now BJP and Narendra Modi have controlled its public through the word of Nationalism and has even appeared to be quite successful to be winning the battle of perception over nationalism marked by a lack of squeamishness in articulating divisive themes that are present as an alternative to Nehruvian-left secularism. Whether this approach will be enough to give an upper hand in the 2019 elections? Is a question in a lot of speculation and discussion.


How is nationalism important for our society?


Currently, in India, the discussion of patriotism versus anti-patriotism is taking new statutes. Be that as it may, the greater part of the perspectives is being utilized for political increase through misguided judgment and misleading statements. We should demonstrate our regard towards the country however that does not imply that we should take the law into our hands and end up promoting violence..


Nationalism has been critical and compelling in moulding the cutting edge world we see today, causing upsets, uprisings and the consistent reshaping of world maps happening even today. Its appeal is something that I don't accept will decrease in the future. Numerous scholars and political experts alike concur that Patriotism has maybe been a standout amongst the most unmistakable political philosophies of the cutting edge world,


"No single political doctrine or strategy has played a major role in shaping and developing the modern world as it today other nationalism”


Which, brings us to the conclusion that nationalism is the essence of a democratic country like India, provided it does not become partisan.




By: Saksham Chhabra