Unity in Diversity or Diversity in Unity?
Unity in Diversity… a phrase which I learnt from the Social Studies textbook, a phrase that makes special appearances on the 26th January and 15th august every year.
This phrase intends to develop a sense of unity amongst the Indians though they speak different languages, follow different customs, dress differently, look differently, believe different Gods etc. However, what caught my attention today is the oxymoron created by the words used and their purpose. Though the central idea of its purpose is to unity, the central idea of the language is diversity!
63 years ago, this phrase sounded apposite. It was immensely necessary to find that unity amongst diverse cultures. That was a time when our leaders had to imbibe the fact that though we are Kanndigas, Tamilians , Punjabis, Bihari, Marathas etc, we are also Indians. Therefore it was right for our leaders to highlight our differences but also pinpoint our similarities. Since then, we have come a long way. I do not feel the necessity now to ‘find’ unity in diversity. It is time to change. It should now be termed Diversity in Unity. It is time we drew the whole first and then sub-sects rather than identifying the sub sects to form a whole.
Why not continue with Unity in Diversity? Because… this phrase is looking for unity while assuming diversity. This attitude which was meant to bind us together as a country has ramified into some unwelcome fanaticism. There have been many instances in the recent past where we have been Kannadigas, Marathas, Biharis first and Indians later. Unfortunately, the respective state governments seem to be approving of such an attitude.
This phrase intends to develop a sense of unity amongst the Indians though they speak different languages, follow different customs, dress differently, look differently, believe different Gods etc. However, what caught my attention today is the oxymoron created by the words used and their purpose. Though the central idea of its purpose is to unity, the central idea of the language is diversity!
63 years ago, this phrase sounded apposite. It was immensely necessary to find that unity amongst diverse cultures. That was a time when our leaders had to imbibe the fact that though we are Kanndigas, Tamilians , Punjabis, Bihari, Marathas etc, we are also Indians. Therefore it was right for our leaders to highlight our differences but also pinpoint our similarities. Since then, we have come a long way. I do not feel the necessity now to ‘find’ unity in diversity. It is time to change. It should now be termed Diversity in Unity. It is time we drew the whole first and then sub-sects rather than identifying the sub sects to form a whole.
Why not continue with Unity in Diversity? Because… this phrase is looking for unity while assuming diversity. This attitude which was meant to bind us together as a country has ramified into some unwelcome fanaticism. There have been many instances in the recent past where we have been Kannadigas, Marathas, Biharis first and Indians later. Unfortunately, the respective state governments seem to be approving of such an attitude.
This can be changed only when our approach towards unity and diversity changes. We are a country. We are all fellow citizens. We have undergone a lot together as a nation. We might have had some differences and skirmishes but we have sorted them out ourselves. Therefore it would be shameful on our part if we still ‘look for’ unity. It is time that we take that feeling for granted. Instead let us look for the diversity in us and respect it. I advocate for ‘Diversity in Unity’. The primary idea in this phrase is unity. However, the phrase intends to look for the diversity amongst us making us realise and respect the richness of our differences. I hope to see the day soon when we call ourselves ‘Kannada speaking Indians’ and ‘Hinduism following Indians’ than recognising ourselves as ‘Kannadigas and also Indians’.
Happy Republic Day!
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