A session on nationalism on the second day of the Dharwad Sahitya Sambhrama led to a heated debate and also some confusion as some among the audience objected to the views of Shiv Visvanathan on Saturday.
During the session on ‘Nationalism: Altercations in Contemporary Situation’, Mr. Visvanathan began his address by saying that he would call himself ‘anti-nationalist’ as that way of presenting himself would make him ‘Indian’.
He said the patriotism that took shape during the British rule should not be likened or seen in the same light as the patriotism of the 21st century as beliefs, notions changed with time. India should identify itself as the cradle of biggest ancient civilisation rather than hanging on to the most restricted mindset of nationalism. “There is need for developing the practice of asking questions in a democratic manner,” he said.
Mr. Visvanathan said that nationalism revolved around country’s citizenship and border issue. “More interactions, debates will throw light on new angles of history and also help in understanding plurality and diversity of the country, he said. While coordinator K.V. Akshar intervened to allow Mr. Visvanathan to continue, several participants raised questions at the end of his speech.
Ex-serviceman and Additional Commissioner of Public Instruction Major Siddalingayya Hiremath (Retd) took exception to his comment on reported atrocities by the Army, while writer Neeta Shrinivas urged the speaker to speak on issues of Kashmiri Pandits, Mumbai attack and the Mughal expeditions also.
Researcher Ganesh Devy intervened to conclude the session saying that the session had provided opportunity for expression of both pro and against views.
