Cultural Nationalism
Mr. Shashi Tharoor in his recent book named ‘Why I am a Hindu’ has reflected several views around the concept of nationalism, also giving some views on concept of ‘Cultural Nationalism’.
Cultural Nationalism in simple terms refers to the national identity of a person that is expressed by a sense of shared cultural traditions. In a larger context it also refers to a movement that has occurred concerning allegiance to a shared heritage which includes history, literature, songs, monuments, religion etc. Emphasis is laid on heritage or culture as means of nationalism and not ethnicity, race etc.
Concept of Nationalism
Cultural nationalism is a small area of the broader of nationalism. The concept of nationalism is linked to certain ideals like sovereignty (ability to govern oneself without outside interference) and self-determination (deciding one’s own identity). This concept came around 1648 with the Treaty of Westphalia. Political boundaries were being drawn in the European continent on the basis of language and ethnicity.
History of Cultural Nationalism
The concept started getting impetus only from the 19th century onwards because before this every kingdom or empire had multiple ethnicities living under one rule. Sovereignty was not defined as it is done today. The civil rights movements of the mid twentieth centuries played a major role in shaping cultural nationalism as by this time different races in the society began to enjoy the same civil and political rights. Wherever segregation has ended, cultural nationalism developed.
With the fall of the totalitarian regimes, people began to migrate freely from one place to another and started mingling with diversified societies. For example, with the disintegration Soviet Union, many nationals migrated to the West, ignoring the earlier barriers and mingled up with the societies.
Positive Aspects
Since it does not focus on ethnicity but looks for other positive signs of commonality, racial discrimination is done away with to a great extent. The shared values and cultural ideals get priority over racial segregation and discrimination.
Cultural Nationalism in India
This concept finds prominence in India through the division of states by virtue of the State Reorganization Act of 1956. The state boundaries were decided on linguistic basis. The plural nature of society has also been legitimized by recognition of 22 official languages in the Eighth Schedule. Several such movements have taken place after that seeking separate statehood. The first was the Telugu movement in 1953 that led to the creation of Andhra Pradesh. The movements are still on with people of Darjeeling claiming a separate Gorkhaland.
