Independence Day is a humbling occasion. It reminds us of the unbelievable sacrifices made by our forefathers to give us a free and independent nation, allowing us to live as free citizens.
Independence Day is also an occasion of national introspection, for, at least once a year, we should remind ourselves of the idea that is 'India', and appreciate the uniqueness of the country. To appreciate the idea of India is to understand, embrace and assimilate the astounding diversity that India represents. Our country is a magical tapestry of innumerable communities, tribes, languages, cultures, religions, etc., woven together in an incredible spirit of unity.
India is an amazing idea at work, a great & powerful nation, NOT despite its diversity but BECAUSE OF its diversity. The sheer magnitude of heterogeneity is staggering, and it needs to be preserved, respected and embraced. No matter how small a tribe is, its culture and rituals need to be respected and preserved. Even if a language is spoken by just a hundred people, those people shouldn't be forced to learn another language. Respect them, give them all opportunities to preserve their culture, and they will themselves want to learn other languages of the nation, they will spontaneously try to assimilate cultures from other parts of the country. Impose and force, and you lose the respect and sentimental bond they feel with the rest.
A great leadership is one which ensures each of the innumerable linguistic and cultural groups & communities of the country feels secured, feels cared for, feels that their culture is in no danger. And they will themselves work to their limit to uplift & propel the country that is India, to newer heights. Regional friction will cease to exist. A sense of emotional integration is extra-ordinarily strong in our country; a great leadership just has to ensure it never feels threatened. A great leadership will never try to homogenise the society, because to homogenize India is to kill the very idea of India.
An astonishing diversity of beliefs & cultures such as in India, naturally invokes an equally staggering diversity of views and opinions. A person who questions one or more policies of the government, is NOT an anti-national. A free citizen of India who is a well-wisher of the society, has every right to criticize the government - whether state or central, and to ask questions. Just because one is not aligned to what the government implements doesn't make one anti-national. A great leadership will always welcome criticisms and respect the differing opinions of its people, never bulldoze over popular sentiments without transparent justification. The idea of India is far greater and more sacred than any government or political leadership at helm.
All the states in India, weren't actually a part of present-day India hundreds or thousands of years ago. Rajputs, Tamils, Ahoms, Marathis, Malayalis, Punjabis, etc. etc. - everyone can claim to have been very different in the distant past, and seek a separate country. What is the problem in it? The problem is, it's a pandora's box. It immediately breaks India down into several smaller nations, none of whom will be as powerful/rich, and will be surrounded by hostile nations. The benefits we're enjoying now-
colleges/hospitals/roads/restaurants/homes/water/electricity etc -will no longer exist if, say, India fragments into 25 smaller nations... nation of West Bengal, nation of Bihar etc. It's just not possible. Hence, one must NEVER question anything related to our sovereignty, nor seek to question the borders of our country. We stay united, we stay strong.
This is particularly pertinent in the context of a few groups of people who aspire for sovereignty such as in J&K, and in Nagaland where NSCN strives to have a separate Nagalim with its own constitution and flag. They claim that Nagas were never Indians, they were different. Some Kashmiris also say they were never Indians historically. Then, we can raise the same argument for the rest of the people. So were the Assamese - they were Ahoms and Kalitas and a plethora of tribes (Tiwa, Karbi, Bodo, Mising, Rabha etc. etc.) - they can claim they were never Indians. So were the Telugus; they can say they were descendent from Golconda empire & Nizams, and were never Indians. So are Tamils who can claim they descended from Cholas and Pandayans and were never Indians. People in Maharashtra can always say they are Marathas, and folks in Rajasthan can say they were never Indians because they belonged to Rajput clans. So were people from every state - Mizoram, Odisha, Kerala etc - you name it. People in every state can claim they were never Indians in the distant past.
So, who are Indians now, in that case?
We all are. We are all Indians. Period. There is no generalized appearance of how a person should look or talk or behave, to be defined as an Indian. Therefore, statements such as 'we were historically not Indians and hence need our own sovereignty' is totally unacceptable. To keep the idea of India strong and united, we must treat the concept of India as the most sacred idea. Preserve and respect the heterogeneity within, don't impose and force homogenization. But never ever think of a separate sovereign entity. This is the holy boundary condition we must accept and embrace.
Like any other nation in the world, India has her own set of problems to address. Challenges in economic upliftment & poverty alleviation exist all the time, challenges in job creation, providing a better quality of life - water/electricity, affordable healthcare, education, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, internet connectivity - are things at domestic front that need high priority and attention. Sure. There are also burning issues of many marginalized sections of the society feeling threatened, isolated, which at times, give rise to militancy and extremism at worst and to a fractured social structure at best. We need to make them feel integrated, cared for.
But we will overcome the challenges, solve them one by one, bit by bit. We will keep the idea of India ignited in our heart and not let the problems and disasters dishearten us, not allow the struggles and malaises weaken our grit. We will keep working for making our country better, more progressive yet all inclusive while preserving our heterogeneity. "What can India give me?" should be replaced by "What can I give for India?".
Happy 74th Independence Day to all!
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