The ONE Party Pakistan was soft-launched at the stroke of midnight of Dec 31,2009. Ever since then... both the term and concept of 'nationalism' has been in discussion or commented upon- shyly and sporadically of course.
Today on Facebook, my status said.. 'Being patriotic and a nationalist is a quality and not an apology. - ONE'.
It was sparingly commented upon, and the overwhelming streak was one of cynicism and disbelief.
Patriotism seemed increasingly as a thing of the past, it seemed- if at all it were of any vogue. I wanted to keep my silence on the subject and learn from these comments, up until one of my former student from Indus Valley School of Art posted his comment, and I quote verbatim
all I remember is that I got "F" when I had to make a presentation in my sociology class on a banned article of Zias tenure and I opposed the thought in it by giving a reason that I am a nationalist. (What a reward I got for being one and stating it openly).
I was moved to read his personal experience and association with the word- leaving aside what may well have been or is, his definition. I am just going to share my reply, as part of my personal thoughts, but in so many ways also a slight reflection of what ONE PARTY would have said too...
Here goes...
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I think, 'Nationalism', the very word instills a very drastic interpretation in people's mind. The core of it however is simple, and worthy of attention.
Some chose to see it as a classical dictionary meaning (a very broad definition) some see it as the classification on the political spectrum (again depending on the 'age of enlightenment and Western philosophers) - while some see it in a 'need-to-reinvent' basis... such as myself!
I subscribe to the macro-view that 'Nationalism emphasizes collective identity - a 'people' must be autonomous, united, and express a single national culture'.
This is the need and not a philosophy. One look around us, and it becomes evident how painful the divide has become, and just how disconnected we are to our national plight.
From having had sworn to be giants after our independence to now being reduced to being world pygmies- this unfortunate migration of stature can not just be a twist of fate but our own doing!
It could not have come overnight, but over successive mistakes and inability to do right! (as people).
Nationalism is sometimes reactionary as well- calling for a return to an idealized version of the national past. In our case, this is academic, as under a year after our independence the architect of Pakistan had left us. It took us up until 1973 to frame the constitution, only to be amended to so many controversial inclusions that hold us by our necks to this day!- So that only 'past' so to speak that we can address to, is academic and hypothetical- in so many ways, dreamy!
And reason why today, we are the 'west Pakistan' after the debacle of '71 - that we choose to call 'Pakistan'.
From a two-nation theory down to a Federation of Nationalities... or Ethnicities... this is where we have come to today.
There are some amongst us who are demanding succession in stark negation to the sense of purpose that allowed us to come together as a separate entity in the first place.
The term, 'nationalist' in our scheme of things have been used, is being used by smaller regional parties... and this is what I am after! To take away the word and apply it in the context of 'Pakistan' and not one or either of its federating units.
I hold no personal objection to these parties, but... I am not sure, if I am willing to let the context and meaning of this very word represent resentment and ultra-nationalism.
Also, there seems a confusion between Identity and Ideology which leads us to multiple interpretations of nationalism or 'nationalist'. Much is due to Right wing in Pakistan, but overall.. this is where the boundries are either drawn or blurred with the 'Church and State' debate.
In a purely Pakistani context, Jinnah's August 11th speech is an evidence of the same debate and discussion- his views were clear but his life did not permit him endurance to have had implemented it in letter and spirit.
You having called yourself a 'nationalist' in classroom, is not to be weighed by way of a 'grade', but the quality of the belief.
However, having said all this, I believe that Nationalism or Patriotism at this point in time, is not a luxury but a dire need for our survival. Not to say, one fine morning we will wake to find everything painted Green and White... but I am wanting to work and progressively aim for the start of the process with which we can begin to see the hues of Green in our national undertaking... in both the Public and the Private sector.
It is worrying, how, the very word 'patriotism' invokes this cynicism and disbelief in many... this to me is the lowest ebb of a society who had given up on any hope!
ONE day, not too far from now... I shall see Nationalism to be a quality and not an apology!
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