India : Are Indians a Victim of Forced Patriotism? 🤔

Hello Steemians 🤖

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What a day it was !!! I met with one unknown guy and get trapped into a heated debate on "Forced Patriotism" 😹

The debate was on "Whether National Anthem being played before movies in the multiplex is Forced Patriotism or Not ?"

afterwards, the topic changed to " How important is it to show one's respect towards National Symbols, not voluntarily but due to external enforcement by state or judiciary ?"

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He was not in the favour of National Anthem being played before movies in the multiplex and termed it as "Forced Patriotism". He defended his statement by pointing to the fundamental right of expression and explained his view on how it is a violation of anyone's freedom by enforcing National Anthem at some recreational place.

I agreed with him on few points but my main concern was much bigger than this.

I feel like there is lack of understanding in definition of term "Patriotism" among many citizens. Before I start with defining "Patriotism", I feel like I should start with defining "Definition", So

What is Definition?

A statement which expresses the core value, essential nature of any term, word or subject.

Why is Definition so important?

The definition is important because it enables us to have a common understanding of a word or subject. It allows us all to be with same knowledge when discussing or reading about an issue.

Definition matters because they are arguments that define the concepts by which we live or operate. Ex-
Activism Vs Terrorism, Theist Vs Atheist.

Definition exert the power to say what someone or something is or isn't, They have the power to include or exclude. Ex- Fit Vs Unfit, Adult Vs Minor, Public Vs Private

A Term can be defined in many ways:

1. By explaining what it is and what it isn't
2. By what it includes
3. By specific examples
4. By what authorities observe
5. By feelings

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"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the axe" - Abraham Lincoln

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What is Patriotism?

• Coming out for parade of Independence Day and Republic Day

• Supporting your countries' army

• Displaying and giving respect to country's Flag

• Being Politically Active

• Questioning the Wrong Laws of Government

Let's take one of the above terms, Patriotism is showing support for our military forces.

But What kind of Support?🤔

Patriotism is showing support for our military forces, such as sending care packages to soldiers overseas.

"You can't just sit idle and claim yourself to be patriotic"

Nietzsche wrote that words with a history cannot be defined. Their meanings are in their stories, their biographies. That is surely the case with "patriotism." Patriotism is as patriots have done.

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What real Indian Patriots did for Independence?

Few gestures and acts like :

1. Saluting and giving respect to our TriColor Flag
2. Singing song and reciting poems like "Jana Gana Mana" and "Vande Matram"
3. Slogans like "Inquilab Zindabad" against the brutality of ruling class(The Great Britain)

All played an important role in the revolution through mass mobilization during the struggle for Independence.

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After Independence, as time passes by new generations came into existence. Now the feeling and importance of being an independent Nation were missing among them as they never witness the struggle for Independence. National Anthem and Songs left only for Independence Day and Republic Day.

Now we are in an era where people are claiming National Anthem to be played before the movie as Forced Patriotism. Let me point out few instances where people claimed something as Forced Patriotism :

1. When Madras High Court ordered School, Government and Private offices for compulsory singing of "Vande Matram"

2. When JNU Vice-Chancellor M.Jagdesh Kumar asked Union Minister to help the University to procure an Army Tank to put up in a display of campus so that students can be reminded of the sacrifices and valour of soldiers.

3. When Rajasthan state government ordered all government school hostels in their state to sing National Anthem in morning with their morning prayers.

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What do you feel about these instances? Are these the example of Forced Patriotism?

In my view singing and showing respect to National Anthem and National Song can't be termed as Forced Patriotism unless you have a desire for any other Nation.

I feel that National Anthem and National Songs should be compulsory in all Government and Private Schools, Colleges and Offices as it ignites the feelings of Single Nation and importance of freedom.

Indian snatched freedom from British in 1947 and after Independence India already fought 5 wars with its neighbouring countries.

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अपने घर में किसी के बेटे या बेटी बन सकते हो? किसी के भाई या बहन बन सकते हो? किसी के पति या पत्नी बन सकते हो? और अपने देश में देशभक्त नहीं बन सकते?

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CONCLUSION:

Writing in Young India in 1922, Mahatma Gandhi said - “We must first make good the right of free speech and free association before we make any further progress towards our goal. We must defend these elementary rights with our lives.”

I agree with what Mahatma Gandhi said about the protection of the right of free speech and expression.

But I feel the term "Forced Patriotism" which is used in this context would act like a poison and will harm the integrity of India as Nation.

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What do you feel, Please comment your views on this?🤗 I would love to read both views on this topic.

Thank You for Visiting, Till then

STAY HAPPY STAY BLESSED ALWAYS😉

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Source of Image:

1. Indian Youth

2. Hubison Football- Twitter