In the last four decades, we have seen how miserably Assamese nationalism has failed. Yet, identity issues continue to appeal even to well-meaning individuals. Why is this? We need to understand this, as well as the basic features of nationalism. Nationalism is studied in the disciplines of history, political science, sociology, and other related fields. Countless wars have been fought all over the world solely because of nationalism. Even India’s freedom struggle was known as the Indian national movement.
Why is nationalism still relevant in Assam‘s politics? The BJP propagates Hindutva, but it also promotes nationalism. Their slogan of Akhand Bharat is a purely nationalist one. While communists advocate internationalism, even they have fought nationalist wars. For example, Vietnam and Cambodia, both communist countries, fought with each other. Similarly, there was a war between China and Vietnam.
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As the famous historian Eric Hobsbawm stated in his article “The Break-up of Britain” published in “New Left Review,” “Marxist movements and states have tended to become national not only in form but in substance, i.e. nationalist. There is nothing to suggest that this trend will not continue.” Benedict Anderson, another authority on nationalism, echoed a similar sentiment in his renowned book “Imagined Communities: Reflections On The Origin And Spread Of Nationalism.” He said, “The reality is quite plain: the ‘end of the era of nationalism,’ so long prophesied, is not remotely in sight. Indeed, nation-ness is the most universally legitimate value in the political life of our time.”
This means that nationalism is here to stay. But what exactly is nationalism? Anderson himself acknowledged that there is no universally accepted definition. Perhaps it’s because the concept of nationalism itself is constantly evolving. Regardless, there’s no doubt that nationalism is a significant notion.
I believe there are two aspects to nationalism: political and cultural. The concept of nationalism has grown from the notion of culture. To understand this, we must delve deeper into the definition of culture. We know it to be a way of life, influenced by factors like climate, geography, anthropology, language, religion, and ecology. All these elements shape the people of a particular place and community, becoming an integral part of their existence. Benedict Anderson beautifully captured this as “Imagined Communities.”
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While cultural identity transcends class, nationalist movements often benefit the rich due to the absence of a strong class element. However, this isn’t always the case. Our own freedom movement serves as an example. Dadabhai Naoroji’s “Poverty and un-British rule in India” and Romesh Chandra Dutt’s “The Economic History of India” discussed in detail the economic exploitation of India by the British. Gandhiji was greatly influenced by both books. We also know that Gandhiji called for a boycott of foreign goods during the freedom struggle.
The benefits of India’s freedom movement weren’t limited to the rich. Both the rich and the poor benefited, albeit to varying degrees. The freedom of expression, economic equality, and brotherhood mentioned in the preamble to the Constitution of India apply to all citizens of the country, irrespective of their economic conditions.
It’s true that our great poet Rabindranath Tagore vehemently criticized aggressive nationalism in his book “Nationalism,” particularly the brand advocated by Japan and the West. It’s also true that many bloody battles have been fought due to nationalism. Yet, despite all this, nationalism continues to appeal to people. It seems to be an inherent part of our existence. This is why a person living in a foreign country feels so drawn to their country of origin.
Similarly, despite the complete failure of Assamese nationalism, people remain concerned about Assamese identity. I believe that any future agenda for Assam, or for that matter India, must consider this element of nationalist sentiment. However, this must not deprive anyone of their rights. It must be truly democratic and inclusive.