The Curious case of Coerced Nationalism

It’s really sad that we don’t get humored by the buffoonery of our governments; maybe we should learn to see things in a lighter way and put our heads back and have a good long laugh. One that let me have a good time was the “Aadhar Card” scheme. I love the way the card got publicized; mind you, it was really well backed by the government that they even got in the Prime Minister to appear in its advertisements. Curiously, Aadhar, that has to be mandatorily linked to PAN, your bank accounts, your mobile numbers and in future to your Facebook and Insta handles too (a hyperbole at this present moment; can become a reality) is somehow not your proof of citizenship in this country. Like many critics say, why don’t governments have the guts to link Aadhar with the electoral card? Alas, that would create a little bit of an inconvenience explaining those extra votes, guv.

Right, I’m a tired, lost and hasty Indian having to shuffle between ‘n’ number of cards I have in my wallet. I have my credit card, debit card, the government’s ration card, electoral card, driver’s license card, PAN card, my company’s ID card, access card, my rewards card, Pantaloons’ membership card, Big Bazaar’s loyalty card, Body Shop’s ‘Love Your Body’ card, the cable TV wala’s payment card and my milk supplier’s daily card without which I wouldn’t get my daily dose of coffee. That’s only half the story. And now, this Aadhar to add to our woes! Sometimes I feel Aadhar is like a prototypical playboy that wants to have a relationship with every other card possible but will give no commitment and so makes its presence redundant.

As always, I’ve sidetracked a bit; coming back to my point of discussion- Coerced or Forced Nationalism. I believe that I do not live under a dictator whose propaganda has to be continuously spread to create belief, fear and forced nationalism among the masses. But in a country like India, why? What makes the government and the Supreme Court to think that everyone has to sing the national anthem, forcefully, once or twice a week? It’s ridiculous to think of it that all theaters have been ordered to play the anthem before the feature film.

Imagine a man walking into a theatre to have a good time. After being frustrated on the roads because of traffic, in the mall for parking space, in the queue for clearing the security check and the popcorn queue for the Caramel popcorn, he settles down into his seat complaining about the poor AC. At this moment the last thing he’d want to do is stand in attention with the oversized popcorn tub as big as his belly in his XL Bermuda shorts to the national anthem. Heck, if he does not do that, thanks to the so called vigilante groups, he gets beaten up. Let me tell you, I crib every time when I have to stand up for the national anthem, not because I do not love my country, not because I don’t respect my freedom, but because it is utterly irrelevant. A national anthem in a theatre is as useful as 'ueue' in the word 'queue.’

I will strongly disagree with the Supreme Court’s reasoning for the ruling. To quote their statement, it is to “instill committed patriotism and nationalism.” Sounds a tad far-fetched, isn’t it? Singing the anthem every time before I watch a movie is not going to instill anything but irksomeness. It is imperative that the government and courts stop trying to force us on something that is not required at all. As though this was too little daftness to handle, we had another ruling from the Madras High Court to make Vande Matharam, another compulsory song in all government schools, colleges, industries and offices twice a week- for what joy? I can’t imagine those government officials standing up at 10 AM at their desks and mouth the song; heck, half of them probably would then be in their night pants by that time.

Nationalism does not always have to be loud and a perfect example I can cite is from my travels to Europe. All along the city of Paris, I found several houses and balconies with flags of Spain, Portugal and Germany for it was the Euro 2016 happening in France. Does this mean the French are not patriotic allowing immigrants and temporary residents to hang flags of their own country? Not at all! On the contrary, this is a sign of a matured society that can clearly distinguish between patriotism and personal space and opinions. Having said that, the politics and economics of Europe is completely different from what is with India and its neighbors. Certainly, a Portuguese flag on a French balcony is not the same as a Sri Lankan flag in Tamil Nadu or a Bangladeshi flag in Kolkata.

Like they say about an egg, a force from outside destroys it whereas that from the inside creates life. Patriotism should come from within. It is the love and dedication each individual has for the land he or she was born and brought up. I’d rather be happy to see the institutions teach people how to make our country a clean, safe, tolerant and harmonious land to live than to force them to recite national songs. With good morals come good people and good people are good citizens that subsequently make a good, happy country. Patriotism is best being an undertone, not a guiding force, for obsession and radicalism are only separated by a thin line.

Patriotism should be like father’s love towards son. You will rarely see it, even doubt its existence. But when time comes…