Comments on: A “nationalism” rooted in Sanatan Dharma

By: B Shantanu

B Shantanu — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 11:36:50 +0000

Thought-provoking excerpt from a post by Acorn, “Who says Nationalism must be intolerant?“:

The political expression of nationalism depends on the values of the nation concerned (the nation being an “imagined community” that has cultural kinship). If nationalism in twentieth-century Europe resulted in intolerance and violence it is because the intolerant and violent values of Europe’s nations were dominant. There is no reason to believe that this will happen everywhere else.

Indian nationalism since the middle of the nineteenth century was informed by the quintessentially Hindu values of tolerance and pluralism. As long as Indian nationalism continues to be driven by these dominant Hindu values, we need not worry too much about the colours with which Western discourse paints it with.

The politics of liberal nationalism is not only possible but presents modern society with a enlightened way to manage its affairs. Actually, this has been the way in India for much of history, with the exceptions being Islamic and European attempts to impose religious intolerance in some parts during some periods. These attempts largely failed except in 1947. Even so, the outcome of Partition showed that systems that reject the values of tolerance and pluralism will come to grief.

By: B Shantanu

B Shantanu — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:15:46 +0000

From French President Confronts Radical Islam Head-On

“There is not a single free thinker, Freemason, or atheist who doesn’t feel the tug of a Christian heritage that has left so many deep furrows in the French mind-set,” he (Sarkozy) said.

Wondering about the impact if one substitutes “Christian” by “Hindu” and “French” by “Indian” as in…

…There is not a single free thinker…or atheist who doesn’t feel the tug of a Hindu heritage that has left so many deep furrows in the Indian mind-set

By: Muthu

Muthu — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:46:55 +0000

I have lived in Pondicherry and the labelling or stereotyping existed during the British as they had to rule with dividing. The Thevar community produced a great freedom fighter called Puli Thevar is 1760. The British who had come then, called him a robber and thief and the process of labelling stared right from that time. The Thevars were given the label Kallalar , which is simliar to robbers and this was used to divide the Thevars into good and bad. This continued till PMuthuramalinga Thevar came, in 1905. He gave a direction. His association with Netaji Bose , gave the Thevars a sense of identity. This made them join INA and due to this many are there in the Indian army. For the Thevars , Netaji Bose is a hero. Even though we consider Mahatma as a great man, for us to drive away the inferiority complex created by the British could be achieved only when we accepted Netaji and PM Thevar as our leaders.

Even now , the Thevars are labelled in Tamil films and even in the some media ( not all). This mischief was started by the British rulers.

Everybody has his own hero. Mahatma Gandhi was a great man, but for us , the man who removed our inferiority complex was Netaji Bose. Removing the inferiority complex and raising the level of labelled community is extremely important for positive growth.

By: Kiran P

Kiran P — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:42:21 +0000

Excellent Incognito!

By: gajanan

gajanan — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 09:37:03 +0000

Not only this, Vikas swarup allows his Q &A to be mutated by by the Brits. This man is supposed to be an ambassador in SA and he allows his novel to be changed lock stock and barrel to show Lord Rama in bad light in SDM. What a shame !!! and then it wins OScars and this Vikas Swarup was showing his 32 teeth during the award ceremony.

Mr Anand , would MK Gandhi sided with the hypocrisy of Vikas Swarup and the cunning atitude of the Brits in their display and divide presentation?

Aurobindo would have not minced words for this Avikas Roop. He would have called him spineless.