Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.
So said 18th Century British writer Samuel Johnson. And how else would you explain the misguided patriotism displayed by India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Republic Day last week, when it attempted to unfurl the national flag at the historic Lal Chowk in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir?
Not that long ago, the Kashmir valley was in turmoil, and it took the deaths of more than 100 people before gradual efforts were made to restore calm in the region. More recently, though, most of the separatist groups and civil society across the states in the region have been responding positively to the decision by the Indian government to appoint a three-member panel of interlocutors. The interlocutors have been engaging different sectors of civic society in order to try to find a way to bring about a lasting solution for the strife-torn region.
Yet the ‘Ekta,’ or ‘Unity March’ carried out on January 26 by the BJP has again divided the people—not only in the valley, but all over India. The work of the panel, which was trying to reach the people and help heal their emotional wounds, has been partly undone. The painful memories of the families who lost their loved ones in conflict have returned.
Meanwhile the separatists, always on the lookout for an excuse to start up their nefarious activities, have become active again, at least if the arrests of some of their leaders are any indication.
TV footage of the BJP march that started in Kolkata looked like a medieval army plodding forward to capture foreign territory and wanting to raise a victory flag. It’s just this sort of interference that has been a major bone of contention between the people of Kashmir and the Indian government.
But the BJP seems more concerned about winning the territory than the hearts of the people there who we forged a special bond with 60 years ago. What’s needed now in Kashmir isn’t the Indian flag but Indian empathy—empathy for the people’s suffering, their needs and their political demands. Yet we fail to demonstrate such empathy each time the need arises.
Take, for our example, when our security forces killed dozens of young people during recent unrest. Most of our mainstream political parties remained silent, while the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Obdullah, waited until after 100 people had died before he even paid a visit to the local hospital.
The nation’s main opposition party also remained silent while our own young people were being killed. No local or national BJP leaders had the courage to condemn the killing of innocent people in the valley. But now, with things settling down, the BJP has stepped up to try to create unrest in the name of nationalism and patriotism.
The separatists, who seemed divided following recent claims of internal strife, are said to be regrouping again, and foreign forces and terrorists who look for opportunities created by such unrest are also said to be growing active.
In some of the states in the north-east, Indian flags have been fluttering high for the last 60 years. But there are also areas where people are no longer willing to abide by the Indian Constitution and flag. And the reason for this is the betrayal on the part of Indian leadership and disillusionment with a system that promised to help meet their needs.
Yet if the BJP’s patriotic spirit is so strong, then why hasn’t its own government been able to implement the rule of law in significant parts of Chhattisgarh state, which it controls? And why hasn’t its Hindutva leadership dared to go to the Dantewada district in the state and hoist its national flag there?
Just repeating ad nauseam that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India doesn’t make it ours. The region requires special consideration and benevolence, both of which we’ve so far failed to show it. If we keep on treating Kashmir as if it’s only value is as strategic territory, then the notion of a united India will never bloom in the valley.
The BJP, reeling under its own political inertia and inanity, has again resorted to divisive politics to reinvent its moribund organization. Sadly, such politics once paid dividends. But I like to think that the country has moved on, and that the India of 2011 isn’t the India of the 1980s or 1990s.
When history gave an opportunity to The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the parent organization of the BJP, to show its true patriotism during the freedom struggle, the so-called ‘sons of the soil’ instead chose to become stooges for the British government. Yet these days when the RSS and its Hindutva affiliates find themselves embroiled in terrorist problems in some Muslim-dominated areas, such as happened in 2007 and 2008, they play the nationalism card.
Johnson was right. Patriotism really is the last refuge of the scoundrel, in Indian politics at least.
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Guest
There is nothing petty about patriotism, I applaud patriotism, but nothing about the BJP is patriotic. They are out and out murderous extremists.
John Chan
The author is right, a conqueror can never win hearts and minds of the conquered as long as the conqueror displays patronizing attitude towards the conquered. The only way to win the hearts and minds of the conquered is to treat the conquered as equal wholeheartedly, not only locally but also nationally in all aspects, socially, economically, and politically. If the conqueror does any other way, they will be chased away no matter how long it takes. The Brits in India is a good example. BJP should be charged with treason and locked up as terrorists.
Joe Doe
What is this baseless arguments the author makes? If the RSS were the stooges of the British then why were they banned by the British, why did the RSS join the INC to fight for independence? All I ask for is a simple fact checking by the author before he goes on spreading rumors. So does the author imply that to take pride in one’s nation is a step to becoming a scoundrel? What non sense is this? The BJP simply wants to remind India that we are a single nation before we go on to compromise on our ideals to these Kashmiri terrorists.
Amused Netizen
I suppose the Indian government should flood the region with citizens from other states like Tibet. That will definitely be one way to “to treat the conquered as equal wholeheartedly, not only locally but also nationally in all aspects, socially, economically, and politically.”
John Chan
@Amused Netizen, you are right, Tibetans are citizen of China, Tibetan and other 150 minorities enjoy same rights like everybody else in China. The minorities in China also enjoy additional privileges that are not available to ordinary Chinese in order to protect their heritage. Only Dalai Lama clique treated Tibetans as surfs and slaves. Maybe Dalai Lama copied his ruling system from India’s inhuman caste system.
India government should spend money to develop economy in Kashmir valley instead of spending on garrisons to suppress the people in Kashmir valley, that’s the right way to win over the hearts and minds of the people in Kashmir valley. I guess Indian only care petty patriotism more than anything else.
Sunieta
The truth of one India from “kashmir to Kanya kemari” may not be as simple as it is made out to be. More so in the current situation when the valley of kashmir is busy nursing the wounds of its young fellas n mourning over hundreds of death. Situation is complex from any standpoint and requires prudent handelling. BJP is well advised to keep off its jingoistic and symbolic Nationalism. Sanjay has very aptly argued against the BJP’s current divisive politics but to down patriotism may not be correct. Like a true patriot i would hope that May peace return in Kashmir one day and people themselves decide to unfurl tricolour on their own.