Allow freedom to doubt

The year closes on the wholesome note of introspective wisdom from President Pranab Mukherjee, who counselled on Thursday that “patriotism” should not result in “blinkered” approaches to the interpretation of history which compromise the truth to justify a convenient argument. Few would fail to notice in this the oblique reference to the recent fervour promoted by the BJP and the Narendra Modi government to brand critics of the government “unpatriotic” and “anti-national”. Thus, critics of demonetisation and of the so-called “surgical strike” against Pakistan were called these vile names by high functionaries of the state as well as leading lights of the ruling party.

Indeed, the rubric of “nationalist” has been sought to be appropriated solely for the ruling party and its supporters in the narrative pushed by the political establishment these days, with critics suggesting that the BJP’s credo is not “nationalism” but “Hindu nationalism”.

Addressing the Indian History Congress in Thiruvananthapuram, the President celebrated the “argumentative Indian”, not the “intolerant Indian”, and highlighted the necessity to protect the freedom to “doubt, disagree, dispute”, which he said was crucial to preserving India’s ethos of “pluralism” and diversity. Mr Mukherjee has had to return to this theme, given that fanatical elements associated with majoritarian groups have acted and spoken in an unrestrained fashion in recent times.

The Law Commission, which has consciously or in innocence sought a public debate on a uniform civil code just when major elections are due, can also heed the Rashtrapati’s words since this subject is widely viewed as a part of a socially divisive agenda.