Who really is Anti-National?

In recent years, one term has increasingly dominated India’s political discourse whenever citizens question those in power - “Anti-National”. Once reserved for those acting against the country’s interests, the expression is now frequently used against critics, dissenters and protestors. The irony, however, is that this word gets activated only when the ruling dispensation is the BJP, either at the centre or at the state level!

Any citizen who raises a legitimate public concern against this ruling dispensation becomes an Anti-National. Any citizen who seeks accountability from the ruling dispensation becomes anti-national. Any citizen who questions the discrimination or injustice becomes anti-national. Any citizen who highlights the wrongs committed by this ruling dispensation becomes anti-national.

On an in-depth analysis, this labelling of a citizen as an “anti-national” has deep-rooted implications. It not only makes a citizen vulnerable to uncultured trolls, but also puts a citizen’s dignity and privacy at stake. While the profound impacts of such labelling are the topic for another day, what is more important currently is to understand who are the real anti-nationals.

As thousands of students protest demanding accountability for the repeated paper leaks in the country, there are sections of political supporters who justify non-accountability just because they support a particular ruling party. It is to this section that the ruling dispensation becomes larger than the country’s interests. This section simply equates a party to the country and anybody who wants to hold the party in power accountable is considered to be funded by Soros, China, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Thus, the questions arises, is this section not the real anti-nationals?

As discussions and protests continue over reforms in education, they try to divert this burning issue and showcase reservation as the primary issue in the education system. They have zero understanding of India’s social reckoning and target students belonging to lower castes for climbing the ladder of education using reservation. Their only aim is to wedge a gap between students and pit them against each other in order to make the ruling government immune from accountability. If this is not an anti-national activity, what else is?

This section also appreciates the police brutality against the peaceful protesters. They turn a blind eye when police invoke violence against peaceful protestors. However, whenever there is resistance against this brutality, they become active on peddling a one-sided narrative. Their social media handles spread fake and doctored videos and make genuine protests look like sabotaged ones. Their spreading of disinformation and amplification of hate among people makes the ruling dispensation look saintly. They eagerly wait for an opportunity to communalise an issue so that their party gets away with the actual issue. Are they not the real anti-nationals?

They target students and intellectuals who defy right-wing propaganda as Urban Naxals. They target the very institutions that rank high among Indian institutions and bring fame to India at the global level. It is in these institutions that their propaganda and hooliganism is countered outrightly. For them, scientific temper weighs much lesser than the dogmatism and propaganda of false narratives.

When farmers protest against unfair trade practices, they become Khalistani to this section. When Muslims protest against discriminatory laws, they become Jihadis to this section. When a voice is raised against mob lynching and honor killings by someone, they become terrorists to this section. They glorify even the rapists if these rapists belong to their ruling dispensation. They amplify caste violence at every opportunity. If this section is not labelled anti-national, then who else?

Members of this section self-certifies itself as deep-rooted patriots who love the country more than anyone else. However, it is this section that is the real anti-national. For them, the party they associate with becomes greater than the nation. For them, diversity and harmony in the country is always a threat as it doesn’t serve their political purpose. Their adherence to fake news and false narratives is so profound that the genuine issues in the country are the dogma of the past and the present doesn’t hold any accountability on it. If these are not, then who are the anti-nationals?!

It is worth remembering that patriotism is not measured by unquestioning loyalty to a government or political party. It is reflected in a commitment to constitutional values, democratic accountability and the courage to question authority when the public interest demands it. A democracy flourishes not when dissent is silenced, but when it is heard.