Putting the country first

Can nationalism be reckoned as a cure for all ills or can it be equated with religious bigotry, linguistic chauvinism and racialism? This question is clearly invested with tremendous potential for flustering innumerable persons as nationalism undoubtedly has become the alpha and omega of the dominant public discourse. Conversely, George Orwell, turning attention on the hidden and inhuman face of nationalism, described it as the worst enemy of peace.

Analogous to his other prophecies rooted in deep understanding of human psyche, George Orwell’s second sight about nationalism is coming true across the globe. India is no exception and now Indian’s traditional society hardly makes a difference between nationalism and patriotism.

Nationalism has given way to jingoism and it is being used to fragment the society. It is the reason that the contemporary narrative hardly recognises the invaluable contribution to Indian society by those who practice different faith. It is high time that we must realise that neither a particular religion nor a distinct cultural ethos is superior to another in all respects; instead we should admire our nation and must accommodate the cultural aspirations of others. This is the point that a recently published autobiography aptly accentuates.

Noted academic-turned-politician Dr. Hashim Kidwai’s autobiography “The Life and Times of a Nationalist Muslim” skilfully picks the apparent holes embedded in the discourse on nationalism that is largely considered irreproachable.

Kidwai, an accomplished academic and teacher of political science, presents a skilful narrative of an era where nationalism was believed a means for stitching up a warm rapport with all sections of the society in their fight against the alien rule.

Having studied at Lucknow University, he joined Aligarh Muslim University just after the Partition and spent his highly rewarding academic life at AMU. He writes extensively both in Urdu and English and distinguished himself as an astute political analyst and produced perceptive commentaries on the political thoughts and the epistemological frame work of his academic discipline. Drawn to politics since his childhood, Kidwai took an active part in the freedom struggle against the British though his father was a part of the British bureaucracy. At Lucknow University, he set up Muslim Students Federation to oppose the Partition. Divided into eight brilliantly written chapters, the book provides several glimpses of an era when emotions ran high and many Muslims lent support to Pakistan movement.

Born in the renowned family of Kidwais, under the guidance of Rafi Ahmad Kidwai, he thwarted the attempts to divide nation on the basis of religion. His account of Lucknow University goes well beyond the run-of-the mill description of student life as he vividly narrates his interaction with prominent scholars, journalists and literary personalities of Lucknow. For Kidwai, nationalism is not a political ideology that is rooted in rivalry. Nationalism is akin to patriotism that puts premium on love for the fellow citizens and nurturing of the shared values and cultural heritage.

Kidwai’s description of consequence of Partition is devoid of rhetorical flourish and for him Gandhi, who vigorously championed the cause of the marginalised sections, including Muslims, achieved this even in his martyrdom. According to the author, “Feelings of animosity and hatred towards Muslims were very much subdued after the assassination of Gandhiji. This was the greatest contribution Gandhiji had made. Normalcy returned to Delhi and other parts of the country, which were scenes of the worst kind of communal holocaust in the recent past.”

The sixth chapter is a poignant portrayal of the time when he left the Lucknow University. Kidwai gives a nuanced account of his more than three-decade long teaching career at Aligarh Muslim University. Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar, Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madni, Maulana Abdul Kalam, Rafi Ahmad Kidwai and above all the eminent Islamic scholar and author Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi are the persons to whom he owes a debt. The last chapter “End of the Nehru era” betrays a strong sense of nostalgia. Kidwai is blessed with elephantine memory and almost every page of the book bears a testimony to the fact. He is extremely good at pointing out factual inaccuracies and his assertions are certainly more than what can be termed as nit-picking.

The autobiography makes us aware of the contribution of Muslims to the collective life of India which we tend to ignore and also prompts us to ponder over the difference between nationalism and patriotism.