| |
The stream of cultural nationalism during the freedom struggle, forcefully brings out how the idea of cultural nationalism was the principle drive of the freedom movement against the aliens.This stream, which formed the critical element of the freedom movement, became anaemic after India became free. As a result the chief drives of the freedom movement came to be seen as liabilities of free India. A song like the Vande Mataram, which enthused millions to sacrifice for the freedom of India, turned into a national problem if not a national burden.Similarly the idea of Ram Rajya, which Mahatma Gandhi had put forward as the goal for free India, became a sectarian and communal idea. So was the concept of Sanatan Dharma, which Maharishi Aurobindo defined as the nationalism of India.Identical was the fate of Hindu nationalism, which Swami Vivekananda had expounded. Consequently, the very identity of this ancient nation became confused; it remains confused at the elite intellectual levels even today. Indian Cultural Nationalism relates the present confused national consciousness to the cultural stream of freedom movement. This work shall prove a signal contribution to the ongoing debate on cultural nationalism in India.
ISBN - 818907203X
|
| |
Pages : 328
|