Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 28: Eminent historian Ramachandra Guha attacked both the Indian left and the right factions and blamed them for the rise in jingoism in the country.

Guha was speaking on the topic "Jingoism versus Patriotism" at the Bangalore Literature Festival (Lit Fest) on Saturday October 28.

He said the model of patriotism was now in tatters and was being replaced by a new model of jingoism. He outlined four features of this jingoism - being an Indian was equated to being a Hindu, Hindi being considered the national language with everyone expected to speak it, considering Pakistan as a common enemy, and branding critics of these ideas as 'anti-national'.

He also pointed out the negatives of 'worshipping' a political figure. Quoting from Dr B R Ambedkar's final speech to the Constituent Assembly, he said, "Bhakti in religion is the route to God, bhakti in politics is the route to dictatorship. Mamata Banerjee and Narendra Modi have that (dictatorial qualities), make sure your leader doesn't have them," he said.

"In a piece I had written in 2009, I had a wishlist - a BJP rid of RSS, a Congress rid of the Gandhi family, a modern Left and a new Party with constitutional patriotism. Almost 10 years later, none have come true, " Guha said.

He critiqued the corruption and cronyism of the Congress. "It was tragic that the Congress, associated so deeply with the freedom struggle, had to be reduced to one family. It disowned leaders from outside, helping Hindutva gain ground. Congress disowned Vallabhbhai Patel and BJP misowned Patel. What ruled was the corrupt," he said.

He pointed that jingoism was a global phenomenon and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in India's neighbouring countries was cited as an example

Guha concluded by asking the constitutional patriots to fight against jingoism.