Two thought-provoking pieces by Yogendra Yadav and Suhas Palshikar made for a fascinating debate on the texture and trajectory of Indian nationalism. https://thewire.in/politics/nationalism-is-a-dishonourable-social-construct
Yadav argues that the rich legacy of Indian nationalism from our freedom movement which was about “belonging without othering” and unity sans uniformity, has been overwhelmed in the last decade by a Nazi version that upholds national interest over individual freedom and identifies the government with the nation. But he also blames the liberal, secular elite for the regression in the pristine nationalist spirit, charging them with a “deracinated cosmopolitism” that ignored the cultural and spiritual undertone, because of which they lost touch with the common man.
Palshikar is emphatic that nothing can mitigate the virtual dismantling of nationalism by the current regime through practice and ideology which, he believes, is not backsliding “but a resolute replacement of Indian nationalism”.
By Mathew John
20/06/2025