Traversing the Indian Nation-State: Is It a 'Nation-State' or a 'State-Nation'?

 

The nation-state in the West emerged from the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) that established the principle of state sovereignty. On the other hand, the Indian nation-state is an outcome of complex processes evolving with the passage of time.(Image:BBC)

Introduction: Nationalism is an all encompassing term that is interwoven with the idea of a nation-state. A nation-state is an entity with shared political interests, drawing inspiration from a common cultural or religious identity. The origin of the Indian nation-state is often disputed, with opinions varying on its nature and scope. Evolution of the Indian Nation-State: Ancient Roots: Ancient Indian texts like the Puranas, Ramayana and Mahabharata refer to the Indian subcontinent as 'Bharata', reflecting a cultural and religious space. The mythical name Jambudvipa describe a continent which included present-day India and its surrounding regions. Powerful empires like the Mauryas and Guptas expanded their rule throughout the length and breadth of India. These empires established centralized administrative systems as mentioned in Chanakya's Arthashastra. Medieval Times: The Delhi Sultanate and Mughal rulers were successful in establishing their control over large parts of India, divided into Iqtas and Subas which were governed by nobles pledging allegiance to the central authority. However, powerful regional kingdoms also flourished during this time. Examples include the Vijayanagara Empire, Bahmani Sultanate, Marathas and numerous Rajput kingdoms which challenged the central authority. Colonial Period: The advent of British rule unified India through a common administrative and legal framework as well as modern infrastructure such as the railways, post and the telegraph which enabled seamless communication among different parts of India. Leading orientalists including James Princep and Max Muller interpreted India's ancient scriptures, showing that India had a rich and glorious past. It boosted the morale of Indians and served as an inspiration behind the socio-religious reform movements. Rise of Nationalism: The formation of Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885 provided a common platform to express grievances against the British rule and lead the nationalist struggle. Nationwide movements launched by leaders like Gandhi, Nehru and Bose helped people from different parts of India to interact with each other and develop a sense of unity. Independence and the Republic: The Indian Independence Act of 1947 ended the British rule and created two independent dominions: India and Pakistan, marking the beginning of the modern Indian nation-state. The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950, declaring India to be a sovereign, democratic, republic, with a parliamentary system and fundamental rights for its citizens. Nation-states in India and the West: Divergences: The nation-state in the West emerged from the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) that established the principle of state sovereignty. On the other hand, the Indian nation-state is an outcome of complex processes evolving with the passage of time. The western nation-state is primarily based on ethno-nationalism which emphasizes a single ethnic identity. In contrast, the nation-state in India is inclusive in its approach, welcoming a multiplicity of ethnic and religious identities. Regarding secularism, western secularism mandates a strict separation of religion from the state, unlike in India which follows 'Principled Distance' allowing for positive discrimination in favour of any religion. Even, India's federal system is fundamentally different from its western/American counterpart. The American federation was born out of an agreement. On the contrary, the Indian federation is quasi-federal in nature, not born out of any agreement. Significance of Nationalism in India: Nationalism acted as a driving force in the freedom struggle and unified a fragmented Indian society against their common enemy i.e the British. It helped people from all over India to transcend the linguistic, cultural and religious barriers and forge a strong nation. Indian nationalism drew upon a shared cultural heritage to instill a sense of pride and self-worth. The ideals of Indian nationalism-liberty, equality and fraternity- shaped India's post-colonial identity i.e a sovereign, democratic, republic. Nationalism catalyzed India's post-independence integration, thanks to the efforts of Sardar Patel who successfully integrated over 500 princely states. A robust national bond could play a dominant role in India's future socio-economic development which requires fulfiling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ending extreme poverty, attaining the status of a developed country etc. Challenges to the Indian Nation-State: Demands for greater autonomy, special status, and the creation of states based on ethnic and religious identities weaken the accomodative nature of the Indian nation-state e.g Bodoland and Gorkhaland movements in Assam and West Bengal respectively. Prevalence of caste-based inequalities limit socio-economic upliftment of the lower castes, betraying the promise of a welfare state. Fear of cultural erosion arising from Hindi imposition leads to protests against such policies, especially in southern India. It attacks the motto of 'unity in diversity'. Persistent insurgent and separatist movements in several parts of India including the northeast, J&K and Naxal affected regions threaten national security and perpuate the circle of violence. Inequitable economic development worsens regional disparities and erodes public faith in the ability of the administration to govern effectively. Frequent centre-state disputes over the sharing of resources, river water and misuse of Article 356 undermine the spirit of cooperative federalism. The Way Forward: Ensure balanced regional development along with governance reforms to mitigate the demands for identity based state creation. Strengthen national security through measures like robust intelligence sharing and better interoperability between the central and state law enforcement agencies. Mitigate centre-state disputes through better utilisation of existing frameworks such as Finance Commission, NITI Aayog, Inter-State Council, Zonal Councils etc. Implement policies that generate inclusive growth by empowering all sections of the society. Foster a sense of brotherhood through sharing of cultural practices e.g Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat scheme. Conclusion: The origin of the Indian nation-state is not unidirectional. It was born out of a complex interaction among the elements that make a 'nation'-language, religion, culture and region, different from the West where the state preceded the nation. It is a rich tapestry woven with a thread that ties all its contrasting elements together.