Changing meaning of nationalism

Nationalism and patriotism is one area that’s being stormily debated in India lately. There have been  times when people would come and question your allegiance to your nation or even call you a traitor for questioning others. Anyway, all this chaos started when the word nationalism hit the headlines way too much but do we really know what exactly does it mean?

Nationalism is a form of consciousness amongst the masses that promotes unity in a nation, a sense of belongingness and of acceptance irrespective of religion,class and now ideology too! There was this very famous thinker, Max Weber who has intricately carved a meaning of the same. He says that nationalism promotes internal unity in a nation. This internal unity propels the nation to convert itself into a state. This state gradually fails to accommodate the internal strife that beams soon after the non gratification of the needs of the general public. This is pretty much what we see these days.

Similarly one can also say that nationalism challenges the continuity of a particular state. What we see currently in Scotland and the rage against their own country in Hong Kong for autonomy is a type of sub nationalism that over the period will be converted into nationalism.

It can be safely established that nationalism gives rise to growth of state and it’s the duty of the state to ensure that it fulfills its functionalist responsibility to cater to the welfare of its people and avoid an emergence of sub nationalism too.

Now that we know enough about what nationalism entails, lets head over to the question that’s tripping headlines lately. Is right wing nationalism on the rise? Is the concept being revisited time and again. Of course yes, we have a stunning example of the US and what could have been the fate of France if Marine Le Pen would have been elected its Prez. Moreover, let’s not forget about our own country. We do harbor a danger from fanatics today and by fanatics, I do not mean just one religion. Instead of having level playing field, there is seen a rising nexus and the effort to capture political clout. What happened in JNU or what happened in the lynching case, it’s impossible to deny that how deeply religion has perforated in politics and a mere bunch college going kids don’t leave an opportunity to encash it. Sure, you do have the freedom of speech but defying your own country for a murderer of hundreds?There is something called rationality. Nevertheless, it is equally unfair to direct and curtail food choices of anyone. There is also something called as basic human rights and this has nothing to do with with nationalism.

Patriotism and nationalism is a feeling that surpasses any political denomination or a group. It is not confined to a religion, a creed or a cult. It is clear of questionable doubt and doesn’t change with every election. So the next time you question somebody’s allegiance to their state, please look beyond cows, in fact a lot further than that. It is our very right to question the government. However, doing crazy shit like solemnize a killer isn’t a solution either.