Yes, I am proudly a Hindu and also a Nationalist. But its a risk today, the risk being targeted as an Islamophobic and an intolerant. And to a large extent, the fear is genuine, just misdirected. Well, I may have sounded judgemental in the past few lines, so, I would love to present my case.
Hinduism is, arguably, one of the most complicated religions, because of the lack of a single discourse, multiple narratives and the argumentative nature of the texts. This, however, has made things simple for the people of the subcontinent, allowing for customisations to rituals and traditions. An excellent example of this is the cultural influence on the religious practises, or even better the inclusion of Jains and Buddhists to the mass umbrella of Hindu dwellers.
However, the story has an ugly face over the last decades, namely the partition of India. This has exposed so many fault lines over the years and needless to mention the crooked politics that exploits these frontiers. The appeasement of selective classes of the society is no new nor healthy to the Indian scenario. But, today there is a different burden, that of not appeasing to the minority. Even eminent people have voiced their concern over a changing India. I am sorry, but to say that you feel threatened when people do not approve of unreasonable favouritism, is no way a valid argument.
Second, being that of a Nationalist. I must here admit that Nationalism comes in various proportions and presentations, my own feelings about the nation need not be concurrent with yours, as long as both of stand in the path of reason and progress. And this is where I believe, calling people nationalist, is a wordplay. The only relevant identity of a crowd which forms a majority (of the electorate at least) is that of the nation. No other identity stands befitting. This does open a healthy discussion for policy the govt undertakes, civilised criticism of their actions or even rebellion against the rule.
Here are two other facts to consider.
1. Is the average Indian a Hindu nationalist ??
2. Who is being targeted in the liberal media as a Hindu nationalist ??
The answer to the first question is he does not care. The lexicality of the terms have no significance to his daily needs. So the term Hindu nationalist is a taunt for him, from the privileged intellectual, he is not so happy about. This is where terms like intolerant rise to prominence. To call someone intolerant, sitting at a luxurious position is not only a mockery of his plight but also an inciting comment. The outcomes of which is the boycott of the intellectual classes and a slippery slope we would not want to slide.
The answer to the second question is me. I who identify myself as a Hindu nationalist, but find it hurtful to be called a Misogynist, Islamophobic or Intolerant, because I am not. I believe in a certain ideology which I am ready to defend, but not for gross generalisation and dirt play around muddled controversies.
But more than all this, I do believe we live in a place where we could make things better between us if you are willing to accept me as your own.
Second, being that of a Nationalist. I must here admit that Nationalism comes in various proportions and presentations, my own feelings about the nation need not be concurrent with yours, as long as both of stand in the path of reason and progress. And this is where I believe, calling people nationalist, is a wordplay. The only relevant identity of a crowd which forms a majority (of the electorate at least) is that of the nation. No other identity stands befitting. This does open a healthy discussion for policy the govt undertakes, civilised criticism of their actions or even rebellion against the rule.
Here are two other facts to consider.
1. Is the average Indian a Hindu nationalist ??
2. Who is being targeted in the liberal media as a Hindu nationalist ??
The answer to the first question is he does not care. The lexicality of the terms have no significance to his daily needs. So the term Hindu nationalist is a taunt for him, from the privileged intellectual, he is not so happy about. This is where terms like intolerant rise to prominence. To call someone intolerant, sitting at a luxurious position is not only a mockery of his plight but also an inciting comment. The outcomes of which is the boycott of the intellectual classes and a slippery slope we would not want to slide.
The answer to the second question is me. I who identify myself as a Hindu nationalist, but find it hurtful to be called a Misogynist, Islamophobic or Intolerant, because I am not. I believe in a certain ideology which I am ready to defend, but not for gross generalisation and dirt play around muddled controversies.
But more than all this, I do believe we live in a place where we could make things better between us if you are willing to accept me as your own.