Debate on Indian Nationalism

This article responds to Yogendra Yadav's views on the evolution and challenges of Indian nationalism, highlighting both agreements and disagreements with his perspective.

Key Points of Agreement and Disagreement

• Agreement with Yadav's Perspective:
  • Indian nationalism, from its inception in the early 20th century, was a bold intellectual and political project.
  • The current rise of what Yadav terms "phoney nationalism" threatens the inclusive ideals of Indian nationalism.
• Primary Disagreements:
  • Yadav suggests that focusing solely on current issues is insufficient, but the author contends that the present political environment plays a significant role in undermining Indian nationalism.
  • There is a disagreement on blaming past “secular-liberal” elites entirely for the disconnect between citizens and Indian nationalism.

Current Threats and Historical Context

• Conditional Belonging:
  • Today's nationalism imposes preconditions for belonging, where identity and religion are used to determine one's place in the nation.
• Historical Replacements:
  • The shift towards divisive nationalism did not begin in 2014 but has roots dating back to December 1992 and earlier historical movements.

Role of Elites and Intellectuals

• Limited Influence of Elites:
  • The section of secular elites blamed for the nationalism crisis was small, English-speaking, and lacked mass influence.
  • Political classes and local intellectuals were aware of the varying interpretations of tradition and nationalism.
• Ongoing Debate:
  • The nationalist movement faced competition from alternative ideologies since the 19th century, rooted in identity and exclusion.

The Complexity of Indian Nationalism

• Ambitious Nature:
  • The ambitious nature of Indian nationalism made it difficult to sustain and left it vulnerable to misinterpretation and replacement.
• Historical Rivalry:
  • Indian nationalism has consistently been challenged by ideologies that favor exclusion and instrumental unity, with its replacement becoming more pronounced in recent decades.
• Conclusion:
  • The narrative surrounding Indian nationalism should focus on its replacement rather than forgetting, emphasizing its gradual usurpation by phoney nationalism.