Dissecting jingoism from nationalism

Rajesh Krishan

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After the Pulwama terror attack, a wave of patriotism swept the country. From candlelight marches to heated debates on TV and social media platforms, people from all segments of society expressed their love for the country.

Protests and candlelight marches were held in several parts of the tricity as well. In Chandigarh, this year’s Rose Festival was centered around patriotic themes even as many cultural programmes were cancelled and the whole event was kept a low-key affair in the honour of the martyrs.

Shopkeepers across the tricity expressed their respect for the martyrs by downing their shutters while several schools and colleges expressed their support and emotions by chanting patriotic slogans, offering prayers and collecting donations. One tribute that stood out and made to the front pages of several newspapers came from a local auto-rickshaw driver, who put up a banner on his vehicle, urging the government to avenge the killing of the soldiers in Pulwama. He pledged free rides in the city (Auto driver wants Pulwama avenged, offers free ride, Chandigarh Tribune, February 16).

Any true patriot will tell you that in times such as these, there is nothing more elevating than seeing the whole country coming together. Such an enthusiastic display of patriotism is, in fact, viewed as a necessity, especially in the light of the dastardly act of terror.

But the paradox is that while most people exhibited their devotion towards the country in the true spirit, understanding that violence or aggression in the name of patriotism is appalling, there were others who sowed seeds of division. They inflicted violence on ordinary Kashmiris, who are just trying to make both ends meet far removed from their homes.

We can see such chest-thumping patriots all around us who pretend to be nationnalists, but, in reality, they’ve more in common with Kashmiri stone-pelters than the rest of the country and its ideals of liberty, fraternity and equality. Those who spread fake news and indulge in cheap propaganda also fall in this category.

But like every cloud has a silver lining, in many cities people volunteered to provide shelter to Kashmiris. Support is also pouring in through social media groups. In Mohali, many Sikh volunteers and gurdwaras have shelter and food to Kashmiri students, living up to the legacy of Guru Nanak Dev. Their compassion doesn’t make them less patriotic.

The Guru Granth Sahib also says “Awal Allah noor upaaya, kudrat ke sab bande/ Ek noor te sab jag upjeya, kaun bhaley, kau mandey” (First God created the light and then He made all of mankind. From that One Light, the entire universe came into being. So who is good and who is bad).