As the largest democratic nation in the World Indian realm
should have been dominated by diverse narratives. But unfortunately a
predominant narrative considered to be forthright, refined, elitist, and modern
has been ruling the roost. All other interpretations or thought-process are
branded as brusque, orthodox, outdated and jingoistic. Over a period of time
the dominant narrative has become “the voice” transcending the aspirations,
voices of select Indian intellectuals. Eventually these interpretations
prevailed, flourished and thrived in the independent India and occupied the
center stage. Interestingly this dominant narrative was never put to a litmus
test to validate its unbiased explication since it is lionized as the pragmatic
outlook for the country. This intimidating narrative with vested agendas,
consciously denigrated the Indian cultural ecosystem, augured separatism and
despised traditional heritage. As a result, the spirit of positive development
suffered gross neglect. Despite the grotesque misrepresentations of the
aspirations of the 1.25 billion these voices dominated and began to cast a
shadow on the World’s understanding of India as a sovereign, democratic and
modern nation state. This tyranny had a strangle hold on Indian elected
governments, held its sway for decades, downplayed India and proved propitious
for our warring neighboring nations. On the other hand, the desideratum which
sought to revamp, resurrect the positive developmental goals were muzzled.
The deluge of corruption, omniscient nepotism, red-tape and rampant
indecisiveness that existed during the decade long UPA regime frittered away
gains of economic development. In absence of a dynamic and visionary
leadership, the country slogged through a regime of diffidence. Clouds of
despondency and frustration loomed over the nation. People longed for progress,
economic development and aspired for a new change. These pragmatic aspirations
began to overwhelm the collective Indian intellect giving impetus to a new era
of alternative narratives that eloquently yearned for a vibrant India. Though
alternative narratives have always existed, the overwhelming appetite for
change aspired by new generation gave fresh impetus. This cumulative yearning dismantled
inept political establishment but couldn’t make significant impact on the
thought process of civil society. To realize the dream of vibrant India,
torrential waves of change should become part of normal discourse. The
alternative narratives which were alienated and muzzled be empowered. Dr. Syama
Prasad Mookherji Research Foundation of New Delhi, in a bid to promote the
alternative narratives organized a National Writers Meet on the theme “Space
for acceptance of alternative narratives and ideologies in a new-age India” at
New Delhi on July 30-31, 2016.
The meet attended by aspirational and dynamic writers had the
privilege of interacting with Indian Stalwarts who emphatically nurtured
alternative narratives. As preemptive remarks, Dr. Bibek Debroy, Member of NITI
Aayog on “How Modi Government is
redefining Governance”, deciphering the paradigm of minimum government and
maximum governance. To objectively fulfill foundational vision of cooperative
federalism, Modi government replaced the planning commission with a think-tank,
NITI Aayog. NITI essentially fosters involvement and participation of states in
economic-policy making with Indian Union, provides knowledge, promotes
innovation and offers entrepreneurial support. Later, Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe,
Rajya Sabha MP spoke about “Antodaya Inspired Development”. The concept of antodaya or reaching out to the last man
has been cornerstone of the BJP’s economic agenda. Speaking about the need for
recalibrating discourse through art, the maker of Buddha at Traffic Jam, Vivek
Agnihotri, indicated that exclusivity of dominant narratives grossly failed to
depict Indian culture.
Indian political realm was dominated by panoply of political
parties. But a selective bunch of parties remained relevant and popular among
the masses. Mercurial rise of political parties in the recent past evoked
debates on the relevance of allegiance to any particular ideology for its long
term functioning. Speaking about Ideology and Politics Today, Amit Shah,
National President, BJP lamented that majority of Indian political parties are
reduced to family bastions and gravely lacked any ideological commitments. He
asserted that politics without ideology is meaningless. Wading through murky
political waters with firm ideological commitment is an arduous task. Unlike
other political outfits, he claimed BJP endured rigors of grueling political
journey to emerge as largest political party in the world with 11 crore
membership.
In line with the theme of the seminar, M. J. Akbar, Minister
of State for External Affairs spoke about different narratives-capitalism,
communism, colonialism and fascism that inimitably changed the trajectory of
the World. Reshaping thought process, intellectual revolutions during the course
of history challenged dominant narratives and offered new directions. Precisely
India too has reached a point where new paradigms of change must steer nation
towards positive development. Indian society is currently battling an
orchestrated phase of isolationism. Vested interests have crassly divided the
society exploiting the hierarchical distinctions of caste, creed and religion.
A network of the media-politician nexus has been shamelessly exploiting the
fault lines in the society through brazen distortion of doctrines.
Consequently, the doctrines of select group of freedom fighters, iconoclastic
intellectuals are idolized, owned and venerated by scrupulous political parties
to push forward their agendas. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was one such icon whose
thoughts and ideas about the Hinduism were irreversibly contorted and exploited
to draw political mileage. Dispelling popular misconceptions, writer, Arvindan
Neelakandan enlightened the group about the role played by Ambedkar in Hinduvta
movement and cultural nationalism. The dominant narratives that swayed the
Indian polity and academia, indiscriminately divided the diverse Indian society
along various lines. It is unfortunate that this influential academia willfully
allowed the continuation of dishonest and ill-informed facts about India in the
American curriculum too. Drawing attention to California Text book issues where
India has been replaced by South Asia, Vamsee Juluri spoke about the
intransigent stance of well-placed, highly influential South Asia Faculty Group
(SAFG). SAFG recommended replacement of Hinduism with “religion of ancient
India” grossly denigrating the identities of the 800 million Hindus. While all
other religious are critically read, interpreted and respected, Hinduism was
intentionally singled out for its inequities.
Concluding the illuminating series on the alternative
narratives, Swapan DasGupta, Member of Parliament and an experienced columnist
eloquently summarized independent India’s illustrious journey. India’s
independence besides, signaling emergence of modern nation states blew a
formidable blow to European Colonialism. Though India was liberated from the
shackles of the western colonial powers, Indian minds still plagued by
subordination sought refuge in western compliance. Unfortunately, 800 years of
formidable subjugation and foreign invasions endured by India stymied its sense
of self-assurance. The veneration, reverence, appreciation towards indigenous
culture, identity and values have steadily eroded. As a result a
counter-establishment strengthened by borrowed doctrines and narratives of
foreign land began to dominate the Indian polity, media, intellectuals and
academia. Anything remotely connected to India or emulating “Indianness” is
undermined, alienated and subjected to scrutiny. Anything inherently Indian or
indigenous is ridiculed. As a result centuries old colossal Indian treasure
troves remain unexplored, uncared and unused. It is time to resurrect, respect
and uphold the values of our illustrious civilization; promote narratives that
represent, reflect and uphold the aspirations of Indians.
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