Sons Of India
By Suroor Mander
19 March, 2009
Countercurrents.org
The last few days have exposed that being Indian doesn't come from birth. It is a spiritual idea. An idea that bore seed during the revolt of 1857 and was enshrined in the constitution. Being Indian is not about the today; it is an aspirational idea, a dream for tomorrow. It is a dream for a secular, just and equal country, that is home to all without discrimination. It is something that the soul has to believe.
Varun Gandhi's inflammatory speeches in last two weeks exposed the bigotry that is ingrained in his ideology. The BJP in 2004 claimed that Menaka Gandhi was the true daughter in-law of the India. She earned that right by being born in India. Her son was the given the status of prince. But Mr. Gandhi continued to live on the margins till a few days ago when he attacked everything that is essential about India. Every speech etched a deeper bruise into the surname he carries, by maligning everything that that surname stood for.
On that side of the divide I find is another Mr. Gandhi, this one due to dynastic nature of his party is the heir apparent to a party with a wobbly ideology, one which the secular forces are condemned to support. Although dynasty has place in democratic politics, this Mr. Gandhi has worked hard to do justice to his family name. His immersion in dalit homes, time in Amethi, regular visits to the parliament and strong stand on secularism however naïve come from the heart. Son of an Italian born, his mother the “untrue” daughter in-law of India has taught her son the true idea of India.
Both the Gandhis stand for the crossroads India is at today. They are faces for the two opposite ideologies, one that aims at protecting the idea of India and the other destroying that very essence. As nation we need to choose which of the two Gandhis we support, for that will define what India we will leave for our children.
