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I am not a nationalist




I am not a nationalist. That does not make me antinational. Rather, it makes me more human; it makes me a person who is open to other cultures and languages, religions and lifestyles.

I often imagine myself as a bird to which borders and fences mean nothing. The bird can fly across the Line of Control to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and further to Pakistan and then to Afghanistan and beyond, without a passport and visa.

But I am not a bird, alas. I am a man without wings except in my imagination. So I need to respect what other men respect: borders and fences. Hence I have acquired a passport which shows my nationality indubitably. Yes, I belong to a nation. Does that make me a nationalist? Should it?

Nation-states are human creations for the convenience of administration. People need to erect fences and say this is our area and you can’t transgress. That’s fine. I have no issues with that. But why should that make me hate the fellow on the other side of the fence? Nationalism seems to mean just that: hating the fellow on the other of my fence.

Nationalism can be a healthy and required sentiment if a nation is enslaved by another. When the British colonised India, nationalism was justified. But that nationalism is not hatred of the British as Mahatma Gandhi said clearly. “We don’t hate you,” he told the British, “but we must tell you that you don’t belong here as the rulers. We must govern ourselves.” I’ll die for that sort of nationalism.

But if you tell me that I must hate the British if I wish to be a nationalist, I’m sorry. I don’t want to pervert my heart with hatred of anyone. I don’t have to hate Pakistan in order to prove my love for India. I don’t have to be a bigot in order to be a patriot.

I would like to be a bird with translucent wings, flying above all sorts of fences, fences of nations, religions, languages, cultures and races. I have those wings, in fact. They are so transparent that you can’t see them. So I may look like an antinational creature flying in alien spaces. Looks are deceptive unless you know how to read hearts.



PS. Written for Indispire Edition 287: #nationalism
Welcome to my new book: God's Love Song.

Comments

  1. SinjanaAugust 18, 2019 at 12:43 PM

    Very well-written. I completely agree with your thoughts on nationalism and it couldn't be explained better in so few words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalAugust 18, 2019 at 2:53 PM

      I'm delighted to hear that especially in these troubled days.

      Delete
  2. Rodrick Rajive LalAugust 18, 2019 at 8:47 PM

    Very well written!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Arvind PasseyAugust 18, 2019 at 10:53 PM

    To be or not to be a nationalist is an individual's choice... just as valid as his choice of definition for this concept. There is always a strong current in favour of the way the powerful choose to define at a point in time. Every definition comes with its own set of pros and cons.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalAugust 19, 2019 at 8:39 AM

      As long as one's choices doesn't harm others, it's fine.

      The leader does make the difference.

      Delete
  4. जितेन्द्र माथुरAugust 20, 2019 at 9:04 AM

    You are absolutely correct. Humanity is and should be sans the borders of nation-states. The assertion of yourself - 'Looks are deceptive unless you know how to read hearts' is a truth and nothing but the truth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalAugust 20, 2019 at 4:28 PM

      I'm always happy to read your views because there's so much in common between us.

      Delete
  5. none to be knownAugust 20, 2019 at 8:23 PM

    Brotherhood of Mankind is what is more important than nationalism. After all, it is the same 'red' blood that flows through them. For a clearer perspective, just ask any NRI regarding the love of Pakis. Outside these two countries, at another foreign country Brotherhood is much more appreciated than nationalism. So it is not that these two nations can't be at peace. But some hidden agenda of the dark minds ruling these countries.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalAugust 20, 2019 at 8:36 PM

      Hidden agenda, you said it. It's not so hidden anymore, however.

      Delete
  6. DashyAugust 20, 2019 at 11:32 PM

    Totally agree. It seems like words lose their actual meaning and are redefined by people according to their wish. The same is the case for nationalism, and I'd say feminism, and other such ideals. One must bring clarity in what they mean by the terms they use. Nationalism does seem to have a negative tinge to it, what with the hate expressed towards other nations. Views like yours need to be heard. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalAugust 21, 2019 at 7:19 AM

      Obliged for articulating your view so clearly and it's a healthy view which is becoming rare nowadays.

      Delete
  7. Sapna DhyaniSeptember 16, 2019 at 7:49 PM

    Very well written Sir. I completely agree with your line of thought here. It seems like people are being encouraged and guided to become extremists. We can't claim to be a democratic state if so many restrictions are being imposed on the citizens, as if we are all school children , studying in a convent with very strict rules.No freedom of expression leads to a gradual death of one's spirit. May balance prevail...and soon!

    ReplyDelete

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