Let us truly understand Mahatma Gandhi and Nationalism.
On this auspicious day of 72nd anniversary of India's freedom, let us truely understand our great leader and philosopher, Mahatma Gandhi.
He not only gave an ideal nationalism to India which is a perfect combination of Secularism, Hinduism and Socialism, he pioneered basic axioms for nationalism for every country on the globe.
His love for humanity, nature, his own religion and simplicity in life together with firm belief in non-violence made him the idol for all time.
His thoughts are very essential today, when the world is facing insecurity, violence and evils of capitalism on global scale and planet earth is in danger due to human activities.
Freedom of India through non-violent social movement was his greatest achievement in his life which gave a new strength to non-violence and trasformed it into an effective and nondestructive instrument for achieving any change, be it a social, political or environmental.
During the last seventy years the India has swayed far away from the those cherished ideals.
We must give some credit to our former rulers for establishing comprehensive administrative and legal infrastructure for governing such a vast country with intricate diversity in language, culture, social and economical status. Our great forfathers have laid strong ethical grounds in the social culture and peaceful coexistence. Many leaders stregthened the nationalism and created urge for freedom.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar laid the foundation of Indian constitution with democracy and social equity as basic ingradients.
But what we find today?
The same words democracy and social equity are being interpreted for political and personal gains.
We forget that success of democracy depends on discipline. All political parties endorse democracy but infortunately fail to follow the essential prerequisites coming with it.
1. Resposibility - Constitution grants freedom of speech to citizen, but does not permit instigating speech against any person, religion or group. One must respect other's freedom of speech. Even if some person's views are not not aggreable or derrogatory to social fabric, only non-violent, non-disruptive methods can be permitted to express disapproval.
2. Law - No citizen is allowed to take law in hand. There is a legitimate legal system developed for addressing grievences of people. Hence disruptive activities, destruction of national property, road blockages have no place in demcracy. No man is above law. Anybody who instigates lawless activities has no right to talk about democracy.
3. Honesty - You should be honest with your own ideals. This word has become only of historic importance. Old retired people tell the stories of honesty and idealism. Now the people shift from one party to other party overnight, evenif the ideals of the other pary are totally opposite to earlier party. Unfortunately followers are honest with the leader and they also shift their loyalties with the decision of leader within minutes.
4. Freedom from Prejudice -
Any fact or event should be analyzed without any prejudice and only in the national interest. However, it is observed that opinions are made on who or which party has initiated it. This distorts the picture and separates the society in different groups evil to each other.
We find oppressed people resorting to strikes, fast or those in deep trouble or frustration even suicides. Many a times, political parties, instead of suggesting and helping the government to solve the problem try to use such issues to blame the other parties.
Rampant corruption is the root cause of the failure of democracy and administration in India. Many a times, I wonder, how India is still steering ahead and preserving democracy. Is it due to helplessness of common man or his acceptance to corruption as necessity. India's progress path is full of man made hurdles, though essential for keeping track in proper direction, but unfortunately most of the times it is motivated to gain political advantage.
Every political party has at least one favorite 'ism'.
Congress - Secularism,
BJP- Hinduism,
Communists - Socialism.
Role of other parties to represent aspirations region or sectors of society have also assumed importance in national decision making but their philosophies seem to be transient based on situation. Though every party keeps Nationalism and Democracy at the top of agenda, their action is only in the line of their 'ism'.
Parties are desperate to enroll their followers only for attaining power. Decisions are taken on number strength and power politics. Vhips are issued to keep members bound to political party. It is surprising that no leader of any party takes objection to huge digital banners proclaiming loyalty and birthday wishes with self portraits of local leaders at every corner of city. In fact, they demand it. It is merely confirm vote bank. There is no freedom to act otherwise making discussions a mere farce. This is not implied in true and fare democracy. As a matter of fact, every decision should be taken only on the basis of National interest.
If the situation has to improve there is a need to free the common citizen from any particular dogma and free to form his opinion on his own assessment. Democracy and progress will be possible if free, unprejudiced and responsible citizens form the majority of voters in elections.
What we really need is strong Indian Nationalism tailored by our great leader Mahatma Gandhi, which includes essence of all three 'isms' plus my nation attitude. Secularism ensures equal status to all religions, Hinduism, which is the broadminded religion of majority of citizen and true faith in any other religion can foster honesty and love for mother earth, socialism which has social uplifting and empowerment as the main goal. All these constitute the true national spirit of India.
Let us hope we follow the footsteps of this great leader and develop India rising above our personal or sectorial gains and lead the world for peace and prosperity in future.