There is a dangerous debate being raised about the chanting of Bharat Mata ki Jai. It is being clubbed with nationalism. A section of Muslims are refusing to join the chorus. Hindu demagogues are calling them anti-national. Muslims are refusing reacting to it. They say that Bharat mata is a symbol and their religion forbids them from bowing to any symbol. They don't symbolize even Prophet Mohammad. They follow only a holy book- Koran. It is an unfortunate and avoidable debate.
The agenda of Hindutva lobby is loud and clear. To arouse the sentiments of Hindu majority. Ever since Modi government has come to power, the RSS lobby has become They want to revive the Hinduism to retain power. Modi's victory was democratic. He didn't play theHindutva card. In fact, he sold the vikas-development dream. He ius doing a good job but the RSS has got other designs. It is beyond Modi. It is suicidal. Even Bhagat Singh's name is being dragged into it. Let's stop and think.
India is a secular, all inclusive nation with a 5000-old old history and culture which gave us great epics like Ramayan, Mahabharat and philosophical mythologies like Ved, upnishad, and poets like Kalidas and thinkers like Chanakya. Besides the religious overtones, they have a message for humanity and food for body and soul. Gita has been termed as philosophy for all times. Translated into many languages across the world. Even Rama's story has 320 versions. Where does Bharat Mata fits into this?
Bharat mata means the land of India. The mother earth, that gives us water, food, shelter and an identity. We are grateful. This land was clandestinely bought by the East India Company from the short-sighted Indian princes and they held it two centuries and made millions. Martyrs like Bhagat Singh wanted it back. Hence they raised the slogan Bharat Mata ki Jai before going to the gallows. Today, it is a free sovereign nation, not only a piece of land.
We are living in different times. All national boundaries are getting blurred because of the opportunities available to migrate and settle anywhere. Indians have been going to the Caribbean islands and later to the US for greener pastures. They don't chant Bharat mata ki jai. Are they anti-national? Basdeo Narain, former PM of Trinidad and Tobago and Chhedi Jagan, former president of Guyana were of Indian origin. They played a leading role in the social and political space of those countries but they called them as Caribs and not Indian. They didn't disown their roots but didn't flaunt. Once when this writer asked Chhedi Jagab while interviewing him in Rashtrapati Bhawan in 1990s, why don't you help the extended familes of Indian descenets to reunite with their roots, he quipped, let them take a boat and go. No Bhrat Mata was on his mind.. Even Nehru had advised sunrise that don't keep one foot there and one foot here. Belong to where you live.There was an incessant flight from UP and Bihar from 1840s to 1920s to Fiji, Mauritius, Jamaica Guyana and Suriname. They don't chant Bharat mata ki Jai. But they are proud of their roots and heritage. They celebrate Holi and Diwali like we do.
Indians settled in the US have earned a respectable place in the polity and society of the big brother's domain. Many of them crave to return. Others shuttle across seven seas. Communication has eliminated distances. The jetlag doesn't cause discomfort anymore. They don't chant Bahart mata ki jai. They were born in India and saw opportunities abroad. They migrated and remain connected. That is what globalization is all about.
There is an urgent need to oppose this dangerous nationalism.
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