What started as a comment on my friend's facebook page has stayed in my head longer than usual. He had commented that being out of Maharashtra was a relief : Since he did not have to stand up for the National Anthem before enjoying his weekend dose of movies at the multiplex. My instant response was indignation, but I later realized that things were not quite as simple. What was needed was a prolonged debate : As to whether this was merely a case of tokenism or did it really kindle patriotic fire in the audience's belly. Hence the Blog.
Now,let's be honest. Most of us are armchair patriots.Most of us wouldn't think twice before bribing a cop or running down our country in front of all and sundry. Our realization of "belonging" to a Nation is mostly confined to Independence and Republic Days, with occassional spurts occuring every four years, coinciding with the cricket World Cup.So, does standing quietly for about a minute in a Multiplex during the rendition of our National Anthem count as a jab at proving our patriotic credentials ?My friend obviously did not think so,but I beg to differ.
Agreed that this is a mere tokenism, and few minutes of silence in a multiplex can hardly prove one's allegiance or otherwise to one's country. But tokenism is important in every sphere of life. Isn't marraige a mere token of love : not really required to prove one's love, but doesn't it make a relationship more socially acceptable nevertheless?Isn't a Gift a token of love from the donor to the recepient? What is prayer, if not a mere tokenism : A supposed token of a conversation with the higher being.If analysed rationally, a prayer would not pass my friend's Litmus test, but most of us pray anyways. Thus tokenism doesn't make an emotion irrelevant. Rather it does just the opposite. It lends it meaning.
So next time, when the time comes to stand proudly in attention to the world's Best National Anthem before viewing Shah Rukh Khan in action, I will be paying my token of respect to our great country. And watch as the tricolour magnificently unfurls atop the Siachen Glacier, where our jawans stand tall saluting it, my heart will fill with pride. For those who sulk, I can only say :
" For the Believer, there is no Question,
For the Non Believer, there is no Answer."
Kaushal, I understand your point of view. However, when you are talking about tokenism being present in every sphere of life, let me put things in perspective as I see them. Marriage, Gifts, Prayers are indeed tokens as you have described them and I have/do indulge in them. The question that arises here is simple? Were these forced down on me. The answer: NO. I indulged in them by my free will. I did not and do not indulge to show my love, faith etc but for my own satisfaction. Similarly patriotism or show of patriotism needs to be left to an individual's free will.
ReplyDeleteI do understand tokens, symbols etc are important and should be present. However, the right to use them should be left to the choice of each individual. I do not become less patriotic/anti indian ( as have been called by a lot of people) just because I chose not to stand for the national anthem at a multiplex. Infact the new trend in these multiplexes are where the people enter late to skip/avoid the anthem. This is a bigger insult to the anthem and ruins the whole purpose of screening the same.
Mitesh