Concept of nationalism in the 21st century in specific has been an affair of crucial importance while talking strictly in terms of identifying one’s national character. The epistemological grid regarding nationalism has varied facets to justify so. Some find the genesis of nationalism in its compound cultural elements or long human history of political struggles. Nevertheless it is but a modern phenomenon. India, so as to speak of, and it is the central aspect of the discussion, has been harnessing the idea of nationalism with its multiple oddities. If nationalism is to be understood strictly in terms of cultural homogeneity then India would stand as an exception. Indian Peoples’ history as well as its State formation is but a product of the various historical levels of socio-cultural and political metamorphosis. The justification of the statement can be well understood in the words of Gellner as he writes, “Nationalism is primarily a political principle which holds that the political unit and the national unit should be congruent… national sentiment is a feeling of anger aroused by the violation of the principle, and the feel of satisfaction aroused by its fulfilment.” The political struggle against the colonial hegemony has undoubtedly brought the fruit of independence and the birth of ‘India’ or ‘Swatantra Bharat’ and it is upon which rests India’s greater share of political nationalism. Defining Indian nationalism on the lines of cultural homogeneity is but a challenge and in fact it would be wrong to have been claimed so.
The concept of unity in diversity is a valid tool for providing justification to the cultural, racial, religious and even regional heterogeneity. Surprisingly, such a heterogeneous concept of unity in diversity has invariably and historically been present if one pays attention to Akbar’s introduction of Din-i-llahi’ (Religion of God) where no religion could claim the monopoly of truth. The diversity in region, food and clothing habits, language, caste, class, race, creed are to be understood as a binding factor of Indian nationalism but not nationalism on the lines of strict homogeneity. India has been endowed with such extreme rich socio-political and cultural histories that if one is asked to define what is to be an Indian? Or define India, we would have multiple and diverse components that would befit the answer for the question.
