The Left, Congress and Jingoism

BENGALURU: Historian Ramchandra Guha termed the Hindutva model of nationalism an ideology based on 19th Century European and medieval Middle-Eastern (Islamic) ideals which, fueled by paranoia, had thrived on the same sense of superiority while treating the rest as second-class or destroying them."Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a country that follows perfect European nationalism," he said, while stating that Hindutva-nationalism is not indigenous and doesn't have its origin in our ideals.Speaking at the Bangalore Literature Festival, Guha criticised those promoting the Hindutva model of nationalism and said it will destroy India and its democracy. Indian nationalism, he said, didn't borrow from Europe. It is based on plurality and something that refuses to identify with one religion or language thanks to our freedom fighters."Hindutva is equal part European and Middle-Eastern. Nationalism in 19th Century Europe was based on propagating common religion, common language and a common external enemy. For example, France was a country of people who spoke only French, were catholics and hated England. Now, the RSS' model says Hindi is the national language, we must all be Hindus and hate Pakistan," Guha said.He also pointed out how in medieval Middle-east, Islam was superior while the others had to be killed. "Jews and Christians though were allowed to live...but only so long as they did not ask for too much. They could not be part of the military, become heads of institutions and so on…" Guha said.Distinguishing nationalism from jingoism, Guha said: "Nationalism is when you can recognise that no state or culture is perfect and flawless; when you have the ability to feel shame at the failure of your state and have the desire and willingness to correct it; when you have the ability to be rooted in one culture and be willing to learn from other cultures. Jingoism is quite the opposite: when you brag about your preparedness to fight others, and it is fueled by revenge and hate."Stating that patriotism is an "everyday business", Guha said that one need not take lying down the RSS model of nationalism or patriotism that is defined by symbols that may not be inclusive."But why is jingoism on the rise?" Guha attributed it to four broad reasons: One, the Indian Left, which he said was hypocritic and anti-patriotic as it always worshiped another country and not India. Two, the corrupt Congress party; three global rise in jingoism and four the rise of strong Islamic nations in the neighbourhood (Pakistan and Bangladesh)."While the Left, which has always worshiped another country (Soviet Union, China, Vietnam and so on, and now Venezuela) has contributed its share-when Hugo Chavez gets a more resounding applause in JNU than any great Indian leader has, it adds to those propagating jingoism. Then we have the Congress. It is unfortunate that a great party from the freedom struggle is reduced to one family," Guha said.He criticised the Congress for disowning and making several freedom fighters like ( Sardar Vallabhbhai ) Patel, (Bal Gangadhar) Tilak and others and making congress about (Jawaharlal) Nehru, Indira (Gandhi) and Rajiv (Gandhi).