Cultural Nationalism, and its role in development of a Nation
Nation may refer to any estate or country having its own boundaries, but the most legitimate definition may be said to be, large number of people mainly common decent, language, history etc. usually inhabiting a territory bounded by defined limits and forming a society under one Government. Nation can, of course, refer to any government, ancient or modern, but in this context it refers more particularly to groups that maintain common culture, despite being widely scattered, the red Indian Nation of North America, the Jewish nation(Israel ) that some how survived despite its scattering during the Diaspora . Nationalism is a patriotic (devotion) feeling towards the nation, which promotes freedom, prosperity and honour for its people. It works on principles of equity and equality amongst its citizens. It is a continuous and consistent effort to bind the people of India into one homogenous unit. The Principles of nationalism is devoted towards the people and recognises each of its citizen's, e.g. Hindu, Muslims, Sikhs, Christian, forwards, backward and dalits as equal and one. Love, respect and bonding between the people, guided by healthy and progressive attitude of co-operation and sentimental attachment towards every fellow citizen, is Nationalism. In this world of global competition, it is a medium of recognition for India in Social, Political and Economic fields.
Nationalism has a direct relationship with development which is reflected by the development of the last man standing on the step of progress. In the list of G-8 counties, we find the names of two nation’s Germany and Japan who had gained independence (from dictators) along with India. Both today are economically powerful and developed nations. After world war two, Japan and Germany were the most suffered and distorted nations. Their economy was badly shattered, young and productive citizens killed and there was large-scale destruction of every thing everywhere. We may say that it is not fair to compare India with these countries considering the population and other factors. Let us examine it logically. The Indian population is too big no doubt, but per km density of population of Japan is far more than that of India say about two times. To say in precise Japan is more thickly populated than India. Let us examine economical effect of population in the growth of a country. The national growth of a country is measured by Gross Domestic Product commonly known as GDP of a country. This is defined as the sum of all goods and services produced in a Country. Now let us evaluate the four Factors of Productions as defined by Economic principles. They are Land, Labour, Money, and Entrepreneur (Management). Out of these the last three are totally relevant to the Man and population. The money is the saving which a nation makes and employs in production. The saving of Indian citizens is high compared to other nations. The Entrepreneur is one who takes risk, the management factor of the undertaking and is denoted by technical and managerial skills; here also Indians are leading, with one of the worlds’ largest and best skilled, intelligent, dynamic and progressive man power. Here the only restricting factor is the land, which developed countries like Japan, has made up by building Multi stored buildings, modern technique of Agriculture and reclamation of Sea Land. Is there any difference between, Indians and Japanese men? Are Japanese physically and mentally more strong, intelligent or dynamic. The reply would come in negative. It is only the human mind and the patriotic love, unity and devotion towards the nation that makes the difference. It is a saying that goes very well with Japan, "Where there is a will there is a way". The mind and its attitude rule every thing of human development and progress. Let us examine the cultural and social structure of Japan. Japan is a democratic country with a very different work culture. When a Japanese worker is dissatisfied and thinks of fighting for its rights, firstly he stops taking to the management, then wears a black batch in protest, and then if his demands are not met they double or triple the production, making the management helpless, owing to heavy rejection of goods and locking of working capital and Goods. Japanese never think of closing the gate and stop working, as they love their nation and know that the nation can not afford unutilised man-hours.
Culture is Art, taste, living style, customs and manners, type of intellectual development or civilisation of people. Indian culture is commonly known as Hinduism, Bharatiata or Hindutava and has been defined by the Indian Supreme Court as a way of life. The Gazetteer of India clearly mentions Hinduism or Hindutava as having the same meaning Indian culture and civilization, had stood the test of thousands of years, has been built, most of all by the labour, sacrifice and wisdom of Hindu sages, mystic saints, savants and patriots and the people themselves. The Hindu Characteristic of tolerance in faith, beliefs and observances has asserted itself, new modes of living together in harmony. There is similarity between customs and habits of the Hindus, Christians and Muslims despite religious disparity. In important matters connected with the ceremonies of birth, marriage and death, their ceremonial is broadly speaking, similar. This was no-doubt due to the fact that the majority of the Muslims and Christians are Hindu converts, who were deeply attached to their old habits of life. Many of them celebrate, perform and relish Hindu customs and festival, and till date many Muslim families are performing certain rituals and festivals of Hindus. All sections of people enjoy, participate and celebrate the functions of each other. Social life being shaped by the administrative set-up economic developments and contemporary religious trends have seen varied changes all converging upon of the Hindustani values and a general enrichment of life. The Muslims and Christians have learnt to live as Indians, regard India as their home, adopting much in their dress, food, manners and customs, superstitions, social divisions etc.
The essence in Hinduism has led to the research for universal in religion. Indian culture and its basic principle of unity and living in harmony have stood the test of time. The true spirit of Hinduism has ignored all barriers of caste, creed and religion. From times immemorial it is there and found acceptance from Turks, the Persian, the Arabs, the Moghuls and English and all other foreigners and is today a fusion of several other cultures, with the more emphasis on building creative minds, thoughts and Hindu way of spiritual enlightenment. It was instrumental in binding the Indian society into one harmonious unit.
Indian civilisation is one of the oldest in the world. An evaluation and analytical study of History and archaeological excavation and research, Hindu mythological text produces it as the oldest. It was so advance, developed and practical that it found acceptance in most parts of the world. The Indian culture, religion, education, spread and influenced almost every corner of eastern Asia, which includes China, Thailand, Malaya, Burma, Indonesia, Java & Sumatra, Japan etc. Indian cultural influence extended to west and Central Asia as well. There was no attempt at political expansion in the west; this cultural expansion was so much that it extended further. There was an Indian Kingdom in Khotan alleged to have been founded by a son of emperor Ashoka (250-100 B.C.). Buddhism was introduced in that kingdom more than a century after its establishment. The whole of central Asia was a meeting place different culture and it was a silk route between Rome and China.
There is a popular saying in ancient Indian Text books that in Kaliyuga (the current Era) Sangha i.e. Unity is the strength. A nation can only be strong and developed if its citizens and the society is united, homogeneous and love their country by heart. The appeasement policy of some political Parties towards certain section of the society has unfortunately resulted in sowing of seeds of communal discord amongst the people of India. Due to Vote Bank politics Hinduism or Hindutava is branded as communal, which is most shocking and damaging. Non- Hindutava or Hinduism thoughts and ways are today projected by some political parties as a symbol of political success. The people of India have proved through ages that Hinduism is their spirit of living, and they have always rejected division on the basis of caste, creed and religion. Our Ancestors built Hinduism for unifying and binding the people into one integrated, secular, homogenous, coherent, progressive and dynamic society. And further to build this nation into an economic power. Hence it’s also called a nationalist movement.
Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee a Nationalist and his contribution towards Humanity
This article is written on the to remembrance of THE GREAT CALCUTTA KILLING: NOKHALI RIOT which took place in 16 August 1946 , in which Hindu population of Bengal faced communal riots. This inspired Dr. Mukherjee to think about the Indian majority population, the neglect in hands of different political parties and promoted him to fight for Hindu Cause. The failure of the Cabinet Mission to solve the problem relating to transfer of power to Indian leaders, the Muslim League under the instruction of Jinnah and guidance of Mr. H.S.Suhrawardy, launched "direct action" against the Hindus in Calcutta on 16th August,1946. Rampant looting, killing & arson went on for 4 days, Dr. Shyama Prasad stood firmly behind the people during the widespread communal riots, killing and raping organised by the Muslim League in Nookhali district under the leadership of Suhrawardy. He formed the Hindusthan National Guard to save the affected people during the communal disturbances of Bengal. In 1943 famine struck Bengal and about 50 lakhs. people died of hunger. In those days Bengal was a state which included states of Bihar, Orrissa, Jharkhanda and Bangladesh. During the famine Dr. Mukherejee organized large scale relief work for masses; his humanitarian work saved a lot of lives.
Soon after the rigorous famine the shadow of partition began to threaten the stability of life. Shayma Prasad Mukherjee was a strong opponent of the Partition of India. Even after the partition he believed that one day the two counties will be united and one.
Dr. Mukherjee is today considered the godfather of modern Hindutava and Hindu Nationalism, which is wrong notion. He was an Indian Nationalist leader who was imbued with deep love to the nation and its people, and bestowed highest regards to the traditions of Indian culture and civilization. He was not a leader of one religion or caste but of masses as his speech and writing will reveal herein.
On 17th August 1937 Dr Mukherjee delivered this Speech at Bombay University Convocation - It has often been asserted that the polytheistic Hindu failed to establish a spiritual kinship with the monotheistic Muslim who held much that is Indian in scorn and still seeks his spiritual inspiration abroad. How can we say that India ignored the teachings of Islam when we find saints like Nanak and Chaitanya, Namdev and Tukaram, preaching the brotherhood of man and the futility of caste in matters spiritual? Although attempts on Hindu culture and institutions fill the pages of Indian history, how can we assert that Muslims ignored the appeal of Hindu culture when we find Muhammad Jayasi weaving a beautiful romance to illustrate the teachings of Hindu philosophy, when we read the simple devotional hymns of Kabir and Sheikh Farid, who refused to recognise the barriers of caste and creed on the high road to God’s kingdom? “Utter not one disagreeable word,” said Farid, “since the true lord is in all men. Distress no one’s heart for every heart is a precious jewel.” In the same strain did Kabir proclaim, “There is the same God for the Hindu as for the Muslim.” A rejuvenated India found an Akbar to put an end to political chaos and social disharmony and a Shah Jahan to dream a dream in marble the like of which is not to be met in the world.
On the invitation of Mahatma Gandhi, Shyama Prasad joined the first National Government in August 1947. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in the Interim Central Government inducted Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee as a Minister for Industry and Supply. He disagreed with the policy of the Government towards Pakistan. Mookerjee resigned from the Cabinet on 6th April 1950 on the issue of the 1949 Delhi Pact with Pakistani Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan. Dr. Mukherjee was firmly against Nehru`s invitation to the Pakistani PM, and their joint pact to establish minority commissions and guarantee minority rights in both countries. He wanted to hold Pakistan directly responsible for the terrible influx of millions of Hindu refugees from East Pakistan, who had left the state fearing religious suppression and violence aided by the state. Nearly 40 to 50 Lakhs of Hindus have been already pushed out of East Bengal. He considered Nehru`s actions as appeasement, and was hailed as a hero by the people of West Bengal. It was these factors of Hindu oppression, which promoted him to take the cause of Hindus, the less privileged ones in Congress rule due to their vote bank commitments. With Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Mukerjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (Political Party) on October 21, 1951 and became its first President. He spent the rest of his life in actively building up this party. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh strongly criticized the favoritism & appeasement of Indian Muslims by the Nehru administration. Jan Sangh is currently known as Bharatiya Janata Party and follows the principles of Dr. Mukherjee.
Dr. Mukherejee Speech at First All-lndia Session of Bharatiya Jana Sangh at Kanpur December 29th, 1952 speaks his aspiration and his thinking towards the Nation:- “Equality of rights of Indian citizens, irrespective any consideration, forms the basis of the Constitution of India as indeed it must be a primary characteristic of any democratic country. Pakistan's recent proposals for basing her constitution, including minority rights, on Islamic law and principles of communal separatism flagrantly expose the reactionary character of that State.” India has been for centuries past the homeland of diverse people pursuing different faiths and religions. The need to preserve and respect the personal laws of such people specially in matters of religion and fundamental social obligations, is undoubted. In all matters concerning the rights and duties of citizenship as such, there must be complete equality for all. We must be able to carry all sections of the people with us by creating in their minds a healthy and progressive attitude of co-operation based on true equality of opportunity and mutual tolerance and understanding. Our party's door remains open to all who believe in our program and ideology irrespective of considerations of caste and religion. Our party believes that the future progress of India must be based on a natural synthesis between its full economic advance and the development of mind and character of the people in accordance with the highest traditions of Indian culture and civilisation. A nation that fails to take pride in its past achievements or take inspiration there-from, can never build up the present or plan for the future. Our party realises that there is no hope for India until and unless her people living in remote areas, mostly illiterate, speaking diverse languages, following differentiates of life, habits, customs and manners, are welded together into one harmonious pattern in which they can retain their healthy features without sacrificing the organic unity of our nation.”
Dr. Shyama Prasad believed in the unity of people and believed that the both India and Pakistan will unit one day, on the basis of its civilisation & cultural bonding between its people. In his own words:-
“Our party believes that partition has done no good to the masses of people, either in India or in Pakistan. It has weakened the country in every way and the very problems that it was intended mainly to solve have become far acuter and are baffling a peaceful settlement. To us, therefore, reunited India is not an idle dreamer a mere slogan. It is an article of faith with us, and is a goal we confidently believe would be achieved sooner than later with the co-operation and understanding of the people themselves.”
Indian culture is commonly known as Hinduism, Bharatiata or Hindutava and has been defined by the Indian Supreme court as a way of life. The Gazetteer of India clearly mentions Hinduism or Hindutava as having the same meaning and is reflected by the Art, taste, living style, manners and culture of the Indian people. “वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम. “
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam from
"vasudha", the earth; "iva" = is as a; and
"kutumbakam", family;) is a Sanskrit phrase that means that the whole world
is one single family. It is a philosophy which has emerged out of Indian civilization.
Accordingly in India every religion has equal right and status.
The secular character of India and the nationalist movement called Hinduism is more evident in the lower class of the society were people of both the section of society, depend upon each other for observing, celebrating and performing their festivals and rituals. Muslims artisans help in making cloths decorative and temple for Hindus, and similarly Hindus provide edible items sweets, cloths, Clay, wooden and iron Articles etc to the Muslims. A Festival of one became a bread earner to another, and both sections await and celebrate the festival with equal vigour and pleasure. This reflected the true secular face of Hinduism, and represented the mass feelings and sentiments. The Muslims of India have adopted the Hindu way of life, and the combined their custom and movement and thus is formed Hinduism the way of life. The true secular face of India and the Indians living therein including Muslims is reflected by the religions, rich cultural, artistic character of this great nation and the bonds prevailing between both the communities. Disturbing these centuries old friendship and cultural bond for Political gain is a crime against Humanity, which Bharata Matta (Mother land) and this nation will never forgive.
by V.K. Singh, Excutive Member to BJP National Trade Cell
BJP Members reply on email:- vksinghbjp@rediff.com
BJP Members reply on email:- vksinghbjp@rediff.com
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)