Nationalism and pluralism

Nationalism and pluralism. Once we abandon 'one culture, one state', we must find ways for different cultures and communities to survive and flourish within one country. Many democracies now recognise and protect cultural minorities.

• India's Constitution has an elaborate set of provisions to protect religious, linguistic and cultural minorities.
• Group rights in different countries include constitutional protection of minority languages, cultures and religions, and in some cases the right to group representation in legislatures and other institutions.
• These rights are justified because they give members of these groups equal treatment and protection of the law and protect the group's cultural identity.
• So national identity must be defined inclusively, recognising the importance and contribution of all cultural communities. Even so, some groups may still demand separate statehood, and handling such demands democratically needs generosity and skill.

Many identities, one citizenship. The world is very conscious of identity, and many struggles for recognition use the language of nationalism. We must acknowledge identity claims, but not let them lead to division and violence.

• Each person has many identities: based on gender, caste, religion, language or region, and may be proud of all of them. When people can freely express all sides of their personality, they may not need to press the state for recognition of any one identity.
• In a democracy, the political identity of citizen should encompass all the identities people have. It would be dangerous to allow intolerant and homogenising forms of identity and nationalism.

Tagore's critique of nationalism. Rabindranath Tagore opposed colonial rule and asserted India's right to independence, yet wrote: 'Patriotism cannot be our final spiritual shelter; my refuge is humanity. I will not buy glass for the price of diamonds, and I will never allow patriotism to triumph over humanity as long as I live.'

• He distinguished between opposing Western imperialism and rejecting Western civilisation: Indians should be rooted in their own culture but free to learn from abroad.
• He was critical of narrow expressions of nationalism that he saw in parts of the independence movement.
• Example (new): a student can be proud of India's space programme and still admire and learn from scientists of other countries; love of one's own country need not mean contempt for others.