All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Assadduin Owaisi on Sunday said, The imposition of ultra nationalism devalues the very sentiment that you have for the nation. You can’t dub those who don’t agree with you as anti-nationals.
“The Indian nationalism which I stand for is, peaceful coexistence and equality. What i strongly feel is The Indian Nationalism is exclusive, the Hindutva nationalism is inclusive”, said Owaisi who was present as a panel member to discuss about Nationalism at the Times Lit Festival.
Pavan K. Varma, national General Secretary of the JD-U – which is a member of the ruling National Democratic Alliance was also present as a panel member said, “There is a new virus of competitive nationalism going on. Who are you to give me a certificate on Nationalism. It is distracting technique today to deflect attention from real issues”.
Another Panel Member
BJP MP Swapan Dasgupta present at the Gripping Session also voiced his opinion on the Nationalism, “The issue of nationalism being only against something is taking a very narrow and television centric view of the whole world. Nationalism did not exist before constitution? It did otherwise we would not have freedom. Idea of India is different for everyone”, said Swapan Dasgupta.
