Can few radical students shouting like 'Bharat Ki Barbadi Tak Jung Rahegi', 'Bharat Ke Tukde Ho Hazar' do any substantial harm to the world's largest democracy? A country so large that she is called a sub continent - what possible harm could be inflicted upon her by the words of a few misguided students. The debate on the demarcating line of freedom of expression is eternal. Which side of line do 'anti India slogns' fall?
On the similar lines, is hoisting national flag on each central university an instance of ultra nationalism? If it is so then, is Madras High Court also ultra nationalist? Lets examine these questions in this post.
As per a layman's understanding patriotism is a feeling of love and respect towards one's country. But why is patriotism needed? One answer could be because our country provides us food, shelter and everything. Desh hame deta hai sab kuch, hum bhi toh kuch dena sikhe. But this answer is again a patriotic person's answer. A non-patriotic person who does not love his country still gets food, shelter and everything else from the country. Still the need for patriotism is not justified.
One answer could lie in heterogeneity and chequered history of India. There are 7 major religions in India. As per Guha people having 6 racial elements reside in this country. There are 22 major languages. The followers of various religions have different and often contradictory traditions and practices. In such a scenario of differences it's only the feeling of patriotism which can instill a sense of belonging in all the people from different backgrounds. The nation provides the common thread to various beads of different colours.
If we have a look at the history of India we find that because of the differences various rulers were always fighting with each other. The lack of unity among them gave many chances to foreigners to come and rule upon us. Even at the time of independence there were more than 600 princely states which Patel unified into one nation. As we know that India is still a nation in making. There are problems in Kashmir, North East and Naxal affected areas. In the name of freedom of expression, if we allow slogans breaking India into pieces, those 600+ riyasats can reemerge anytime.
Young students in universities and colleges are more prone to negative brainwashing. Especially students coming from troubled areas can be easily be provoked into anti national activities. In such a scenario, there is a strong need to instill sense of patriotism in them so that there energy can be channeled into positive endeavors. National symbols - national flag, national anthem play an important role in this. Hence mandatory hoisting of national flag or singing of national anthem in schools is not ultra nationalistic.
However only symbolic acts will not finish the job of nation building. We not only have to stop anti national slogans at universities but also have to find out what provoked young students to do so. If there are no vested interests, such students need empathy and proper guidance.
On the similar lines, is hoisting national flag on each central university an instance of ultra nationalism? If it is so then, is Madras High Court also ultra nationalist? Lets examine these questions in this post.
As per a layman's understanding patriotism is a feeling of love and respect towards one's country. But why is patriotism needed? One answer could be because our country provides us food, shelter and everything. Desh hame deta hai sab kuch, hum bhi toh kuch dena sikhe. But this answer is again a patriotic person's answer. A non-patriotic person who does not love his country still gets food, shelter and everything else from the country. Still the need for patriotism is not justified.
One answer could lie in heterogeneity and chequered history of India. There are 7 major religions in India. As per Guha people having 6 racial elements reside in this country. There are 22 major languages. The followers of various religions have different and often contradictory traditions and practices. In such a scenario of differences it's only the feeling of patriotism which can instill a sense of belonging in all the people from different backgrounds. The nation provides the common thread to various beads of different colours.
If we have a look at the history of India we find that because of the differences various rulers were always fighting with each other. The lack of unity among them gave many chances to foreigners to come and rule upon us. Even at the time of independence there were more than 600 princely states which Patel unified into one nation. As we know that India is still a nation in making. There are problems in Kashmir, North East and Naxal affected areas. In the name of freedom of expression, if we allow slogans breaking India into pieces, those 600+ riyasats can reemerge anytime.
Young students in universities and colleges are more prone to negative brainwashing. Especially students coming from troubled areas can be easily be provoked into anti national activities. In such a scenario, there is a strong need to instill sense of patriotism in them so that there energy can be channeled into positive endeavors. National symbols - national flag, national anthem play an important role in this. Hence mandatory hoisting of national flag or singing of national anthem in schools is not ultra nationalistic.
However only symbolic acts will not finish the job of nation building. We not only have to stop anti national slogans at universities but also have to find out what provoked young students to do so. If there are no vested interests, such students need empathy and proper guidance.
Bhawar you did not explain the very first question raised by yourself in this blog.1)How it is ultra nationalism by hoisting flag in all varisities.
ReplyDelete2)How come madras high court is ultra nationalistic?
Vaibhav : When govt issued direction to hoist flag in university, some people opposed the decision terming it ultra-nationalist. Secondly Madras High court gave directions to all private schools for mandatory singing of national anthem.
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