Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part C (2024)

India is one of the most diverse countries in the world where many types of languages, religions, cultures and ethnicities reside. In the context of nationalism, many thinkers are of the opinion that it is an idea to unite people living in an area, but if there is a lot of diversity in an area, then the nationalism arising out of the perception of a group can also become a cause of struggle. Now an important question arises whether Indian nationalism can give a similar place for all people living here, or does it naturally exclude certain groups and classes in the process of defining national identity?
When we consider contexts of colonial and colonial experiences, it is known that different philosophies of nationalism such as secular-liberals, cultural-Hindus, regional and sub-classes competed to shape India's national identity. While secular nationalism leads us to a more inclusive democracy, Hindu nationalism emphasizes the legacy of civilization. Whereas we see that both regional and caste-based movements challenge both, which showcase the marginalized communities more and more practically to gain recognition.
It is said that one of the major challenges of nationalism is the tendency to apply the same identity as the mainstream culture, which often describes the same identity by renaming the cultures of religious minorities, linguistic groups, Dalits and tribal communities to the mainstream. However, Amartya Sen and BR Ambedkar offer alternative models - which sees national identity as fluid and pluralist, and which incorporates nationalism to constitutional values rather than cultural or religious domination.
This article has argued that nationalism should be included in such a way that instead of erasing them by honoring the diversities present inside them, they should embrace and embrace them. A nationalism that considers many identities to be his own and also incorporates them into democratic processes. In this way, every Indian, whether it is of different religion, caste, or language, becomes a shared house for them. Instead of asking, "Who is a true Indian?" Perhaps the real question should be how nationalism can ensure the situation that no Indian feels different and outsider from the mainstream of the country.