“A world full of patriots
may be a world full of strife,” wrote Bertrand Russell in his book Why Men Fight. Patriotism assumes that one’s own country is
superior to others. Patriotism is like
religion, Russell goes on to say. Apart
from the sense of superiority, it is also founded on a sense of
self-righteousness. The patriot believes
that his country possesses the ultimate truths.
There are a few bloggers who have shot to prominence in the last few
months – after nationalism became a pet theme in India – who vindicate Russell’s
arguments. There is no truth outside the
Gita, there is no epic greater than the Mahabharata, and there is no greater
religion than the Hindu dharma, according to these blogger-patriots.
My primary opposition to
patriotism is precisely the blinkered vision on which it is founded. It prevents one from seeing the bigger
picture. It withholds one from admiring
what is good in other countries. How
terrible a loser I would be if I were to shut my eyes to the whole treasure
that lies in European literature! Yes,
my best friends are books and I have found the best of them coming from
countries other than my own. I’m not
saying that there are no good writers in India.
I’m saying that I have found my favourite writers outside the
country. Do I cease to be a patriot when
I say that?
The kind of patriotism
that today’s nationalists uphold would withhold a lot of treasures apart from
books too. There’s a whole world of
music, films, arts, and so on that lies out there beyond my country’s borders
and is fabulously charming. Do I cease
to be a patriot because I admire those great works?
Russell argues that
patriotism is no different from the tribal feeling of “loyalty to the
sovereign.” Art, music, literature, and
all similar creative processes lie far beyond the tribal feeling of
loyalty. That is why patriots find it
hard to accept writers and artists who question certain loyalties. And yet art and literature cannot be loyal to
narrow concepts. Creative thinking is
essentially subversive, Russell says towards the end of the book mentioned
above.
Albert Einstein subverted
Isaac Newton though the latter’s genius is still valid in science. Socrates was killed because his philosophy
was subversive. The Buddha had to face
opposition from the aristocrats of his time whose system he subverted. Jesus was a subversive. The most serious problem with patriotism is
that it prevents free thinking. Like
religion, it makes fetishes out of national symbols and motifs. It prevents us from questioning ourselves,
our beliefs, our ideas, our smugness. It
prevents us from growing. That is why I
don’t want to be a patriot. I want to be
open to whatever is good wherever it may come from.
I admire the Gita, the
Mahabharata and the profundity of the Indian philosophies. But I also admire Spinoza and Kafka. Kazuo Ishiguro inspires me as much the Katha Upanishad. That is why I find it difficult to embrace
the kind of patriotism peddled copiously these days.
I 100% agree and ditto your views!
ReplyDeleteHappy to have solid support like you, Amit ji.
DeleteRussell said it so well. And you have made your point too. This needs to be said. I particularly liked your line ' Art, music, literature, and all similar creative processes lie far beyond the tribal feeling of loyalty.'
ReplyDeleteThose who can produce art, music, etc, or at least appreciate them, won't take refuge in patriotism!
DeleteWell said. A creative mind is a way beyond all trivial feelings. Be it fake patriotism or religion. I agree with all your points. Very nicely portrayed.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, now many writers are also taking political stands and thus losing objectivity. Gaining certain temporary victories has become the goal of many writers!
DeleteWhat is being commercialized as patriotism is sham. The feeling of pride for one's nation taking the form of ridiculous worship can only be a recipe for disaster.
ReplyDeletePatriotism is another weapon, Sunaina. They are using it for subordinating certain sections of people.
DeleteA very good post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rajeev.
DeleteFinally! A sane voice! Love the way you said it all sir :) I have been lucky to have been brought up in a family where everyone's opinions are respected. Even though my parents belong to different religions as well as always vote for different political parties,they have never created a toxic environment in our family based on religion or politics and I grew up thinking that this must be so in every family in our society *sigh* I have no issues with people having different opinions or even blogging about it, but the tendency to brand someone who doesn't share THEIR particular opinions as 'traitor' or 'anti India' is disturbing. I mean, why can't we sit down calmly and talk about our problems, why must we always blame, point fingers, curse and abuse? Especially on social media, so much of abuse and constant bickering and a rush to prove oneself as 'ultimate patriot', My gosh, look at me babble on and on :D Thanks Sir for a sane voice!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I made you talk so much :)
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