Nationalism Should Mean Affection For The Nation In All Its Diversity: VP Hamid Ansari At 25th NLSIU Convocation [Read Full Text]

Vice President Hamid Ansari, addressing the 25^th Annual Convocation of the National Law School of India University, voiced his opinion on nationalism, and condemned ‘hyper-nationalism’ and closing of the mind as a “manifestation of insecurity about one’s place in the world”.

“Citizenship does imply national obligations. It necessitates adherence to and affection for the nation in all its rich diversity. This is what nationalism means, and should mean, in a global community of nations,” he opined.

The Vice President was addressing the Convocation which was held at the P.E.S. College Campus, and featured 581 under-graduate and post-graduate students being feted. Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar presided over the Convocation, with Governor of Karnataka Mr. Vajubhai Vala as the Guest of Honor and Chief Minister of Karnataka, Mr. Siddaramaiah as the Special Guest.

During the convocation address, Mr. Ansari, who was the Chief Guest, spoke at length on the necessity of pluralism and secularism in our democracy. Mr. Ansari remarked that while the framers of the Constitution of India sought to achieve a plural society in which all communities were equal actors, “a regression of consciousness has now set in”.

In order to combat such regression, he opined that it is necessary to highlight the relationship between identity and inequality which lies at the heart of secularism and democracy in India. “The challenge today then is to reiterate that rejuvenate secularism’s basic principles: equality, freedom of religion and tolerance, and to emphasize that equality has to be substantive, that freedom of religion be re-infused with its collectivist dimensions, and that toleration should be reflective of the realities of the India society and lead to acceptance,” he said.

The Vice President, thereafter, commented that any assessment of the functioning of the democracy has to be both procedural and substantive. While he expressed satisfaction with the country’s record on the procedural front, the score he said was “less emphatic” on the substantive aspects, especially in the following five categories: (a) the gap between ‘equality before the law’ and ‘equal protection of the law’, (b) representativeness of the elected representative, (c) functioning of legislatures, (d) gender and diversity imbalance, and (e) secularism in practice.

He then went on to suggest ways to create conditions and space for a more comprehensive realization of the twin objectives of pluralism and secularism. He suggested, “The answer would see to lie, firstly, in the negation of impediments to the accommodation of diversity institutionally and amongst citizens and, secondly, in the rejuvenation of the institutions and practices through which pluralism and secularism cease to be sites for politico-legal contestation in the functioning of Indian democracy. The two approaches are to be parallel, not sequential.”

On the subject of tolerance, Mr. Ansari was of the view that tolerance alone is not a strong enough foundation for building an inclusive and pluralistic society. Acceptance, he said, goes beyond tolerance. To this end, continuous dialogue becomes essential to promote harmony transcending sectional diversities.

Also speaking at the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) R. Venkata Rao recounted the various achievements of the current students and the alumni. His message to the passing out graduates was: “Remember, God has not given a bone in our tongue because he wants us to speak only soft words. Every selfless act, every gesture of gratitude, every soft word, every kind thought – they make up who you are, they create your world. Our education, knowledge and wisdom should give us an understanding, compassion and empathy towards other people’s situations, nature and behavior.”