Are nationalism, populism and liberalism positive concepts? The question took centre stage at the concluding session of the literature festival on ‘Nationalism, Populism and the Threat to the Global Liberal Order’.
Swarajya magazine editor R. Jagannathan said one cannot question nationalism; it is not inborn but has to be inculcated. In response, JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar quipped that the ruling dispensation should put two drops of nationalism along with polio drops. Speaking in Hindi, Mr. Kumar, said his decision to not impose Hindi is his idea of nationalism. “Redefining nationalism and history to cover up the inefficiencies of the ruling class is populism,” he said.
Noted writer Suketu Mehta added that populism is a false story told well, while journalist and novelist Manu Joseph noted that though populism is a good story well told, it need not be false and may be half truth as well. “But, the problem is that liberals today don’t know how to tell their story interestingly,” he said, to which many on the panel took objection. The panel saw a verbal duel between Mr. Kumar and JNU faculty Makarand Paranjape, who were on opposing sides of the debate. Talking of labels, Mr. Kumar said he was “left” since he was “left out” in the march of vikas , employment and caste.
