More Indian than Indian
One of my old history teachers was fond of saying that “all Indians are equal but some Indians are more equal than the others”. I was not sure what he meant that time but I have a better understanding of it now. Some of us whether we are politicians, businessmen or the social elite enjoy certain rights and privileges that the common man can only dream of. I think that this reality of life in India is well understood by most Indians today.
The other day I was listening to the Rob Zombie song “More Human than Human” on my car radio. I started to wonder about the implications of the title of the song. As a human being I like to believe that there are no degrees or shades when it comes to human. But the difference between the ways human beings treat each might create the perception that some human beings are more or less human than the others.
We know that this is true in India. Some of us are barred from entering places of worship, some of are forbidden from eating from the same plate or drinking from the same cup as others, some of us have to live in our groups away from other groups in the village and so on. This is not a problem among Indians alone.
Thomas Jefferson (one of the founding fathers of America and one of the authors of the United States Declaration of Independence) is often credited with writing one of the most far reaching statements on human rights when he said the following in 1776: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. It took America another hundred years to abolish slavery (1865) and another hundred years (1968) to provide equal rights to minorities.
Just like the concept of more human than human, is there a validity to the concept of more Indian than Indian? Who is an Indian? The easy answer is a person who holds an Indian citizenship. But what about the millions of Indians who live abroad who might be technically citizens of other countries but still consider themselves Indians?
Let us take it a step further. There are many Americans that I know who are not only very knowledgeable about India but are also well versed in Indian scriptures, the nation’s history and traditions. They try very hard to lead an “Indian” way of life (whatever that means to them). Are these people Indians?
We can have an interesting theoretical discussion about who is an “Indian”. But what worries me is that there is a section of our society (a minority in my opinion) that is now very vocal about their “Indian ness” and they wear their “Indian ness” on their sleeve.
They see themselves as the defenders of India from the so-called enemies of India. There is nothing wrong with it as long as this group understands that India and being Indian means different things to different people more so considering the fact that India is a very pluralistic and democratic nation. Although we are thankful for their support they should also be aware of the fact that we are fully capable of defending India ourselves.
This has a parallel in the United States too. Some Americans reacted the same way after 09/11. In addition to holding an American citizenship one had to also act and say things a certain way to be considered a real American (wearing an American Flag lapel pin was one of them). Nowadays even President Obama wears a lapel pin!
So the next time you criticize Indian foreign policy or the IPL decision, you want peace and friendship with Pakistan, cheer a shot by a Pakistan cricket player, express your amazement at a Chinese Freehand (Shui-mo) painting or admire the architecture of the Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat (Bangladesh) or listen to a beautiful ghazal by Ghulam Ali remember that some of your fellow countrymen might think that you are less of an Indian than them. Are you?
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Category: Culture & Religion
a very clear example of muddled up thinking. trying to create a strawman and shooting it. chinese shui-mo (whatever that is), sixty (or eighty) dome mosque and what not … what is the point dear ??? why invoke such irrelevant things ??
let me put your thesis straight – there are some guys (according to you, “self-appointed guardians” of India) who will try to run down anything “non-Indian” (whatever that means). and it is high time to save India from such overzealous ultranationalistic radicals. and your current article is a step in the much need right direction. and you are in a majority among Indians. This is your thesis in so many words … Right ??
Well yes you are correct that such ultra-nationalistic radicals (if there are any) will harm India and along with it the world. You are right that they are in a absolute minority. In fact I would say they do not exist. but have you correctly identified your target ?? or have you tried to paint some totally different kind of guys with the monsterish-colors that you yourself have imagined ? and then accuse them of the crime (of defending India !?) while not replying to any of their legitimate charges ??
why not be honest for a change ???
I think that the article is clear about what it is trying to convey.
I do believe that there are ultra-nationalists in India.
I have the right to express my thoughts although you might think that these are “irrelevant things”.
The question I raised in the article was who was an Indian and is there such a thing as more Indian than an Indian. I did not write anything about non-Indians and saving India from overzealous ultra nationalistic radicals.
You talk about some charges. This is my personal blog. I write what I want on topics that interests me and my readers. I believe in what I write and I also understand that many people will disagree with what I say. That is fine. But this does not make me a liar or any less of a human being or an Indian than those people who disagree with me.
This article is in some context — a proximate one and an ultimate one. The proximate one is the perceived personal attack that you felt inflicted upon after some of your recent articles. The ultimate one is that of defining Indianness. And hiding behind words like “this is my personal blog and i can fuck with it the way i see fit” will not obliterate that there is a history to your anguished outpourings. And that recent history largely constitutes the proximate factors.
The ultimate objective is something to be discussed at length and it is cumbersome to conduct it on the web. I would like to talk to you if we someday see each other face to face. For now let me limit to your recent words. And the charge that I accuse you of is the same. And I did not mince words while alleging it. I put it in the very words that you chose to write on your article. Since I talk with precision, I just condensed it somewhat.
And that is I repeat –
“Why do you feel that Pakistani players exclusion is equivalent to anti-Muslim discrimination inside India ?”
Now this is a very very specific point. I am not questioning your Indianness. In fact it has got nothing to do with you as such and everything about what you perceive of India, Indianness, Pakistan and Islam.
Please read your own articles once again and tell me if this charge does not arise legitimately after reading whatever you wrote (in articles as well as comments) ??
and nothing personal about it BTW. what you perceive of India and Indianness might be wrong, might be useful but still wrong, might not be useful but correct, might be corrosive but still correct, might be totally flawed and misconception.
the same way My concept of India and Indianness might suffer the same flaws … it could be that what I perceive is a mirage, or it could be just the tip of a iceberg, or it could be the gate to a beautiful reality or it could be portals of perdition incarnate … and we better not poke around …
whatever it is … at least it has got nothing to do with the person that you or I am … it has got only to do with our perception of society. If in this context because of my abrasive style and language you feel personally attacked, I am sorry for it. It is never my intention to insult you.
I did not take it as an insult so you do not have to apologize. It is clear that we have differences of opinion … but as I said I am fine with it.
Whenever I am challenged either personally or in terms of ideas I always try to contemplate, investigate, dig deeper, learn and ask questions to myself and others about the issues involved. As a blogger I also write about it. This is not as you say “anguished outpourings”. I am willing to learn from my experiences and express what I found.
You have asked me to explain the following statement “Why do you feel that Pakistani players exclusion is equivalent to anti-Muslim discrimination inside India?” I never made this statement nor did I imply it.
I expressed my opinion that excluding Pakistani players because of security issues but not excluding Australian players because of security issues will not sit well with the Muslim population in India or Pakistan and also will not sit well with people like me who are concerned with equality and fair play (please read the second and third last paragraphs of the article).
Your post brings out a very sensitive point..and a very touchy issue for many.
Here’s my two cents – I chose not to criticize on something I am doing nothing about. So If i am unhappy with the country’s leadership or corruption or the justice system I chose not crib because I am not doing anything about it.So I have no right to complain what is going on…
The day this changes, and I take an initiative..I will talk.
Welcome.
I like your approach.