Communalism must be disentangled from nationalism: Romila Thapar

In India, nationalism should be and is an inclusive and secular concept that allows people to participate in the processes of the nation without inhibitions and encumbrances.

New Delhi, February 25: Noted historian Romila Thapar today said it is imperative to disentangle communalism from nationalism in view of the raging political discourses on nationalism.

“In India, nationalism should be and is an inclusive and secular concept that allows people to participate in the processes of the nation without inhibitions and encumbrances.

In view of the raging political discourses in respect of nationalism it is imperative to disentangle communalism from nationalism,” Thapar said at launch of a book, titled ‘Communalism is Post Colonial India: Changing Contours’.(ALSO READ: JNU row: Historians, artistes say police action should not replace dialogue).

“Nationalism is not a category of exclusion but an enabling agency that doesn’t differentiate on the basis of identities of religion and cast.

“Arguing that communalism in India is a product of colonialism that only tried to perpetuate different identities to suit its interests she underlined the need to interrogate the continuities and conservatism of hitherto unquestioned colonial inheritance,” she said.
Thapar said India needs to re-construct the definition of nationalism that is “secular, inclusive and democratic”.