Good culture wars intense debate around history and iconography reflects a diverse democracy

Good culture wars intense debate around history and iconography reflects a diverse democracy

Subhas Chandra Bose’s 125th birth anniversary yesterday saw different parties’ leaders like Basavraj Bommai, Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin, Uddhav Thackeray and Yogi Adityanath pay tribute to him across the country. In the evening it was all topped by the Prime Minister unveiling Bose’s hologram statue at India Gate. The new statue as much as the preceding relocation of the Amar Jawan Jyoti from this space to the National War Memorial has set off a fresh round of heated debate over India’s history – whether it is being erased or enriched, diluted or diversified.

Likewise, the removal of one of Gandhi’s favourite hymns ‘Abide With Me’ from this year’s Beating Retreat ceremony is being criticised as yet another insult to minorities and the Mahatma, and simultaneously defended as welcome phasing-in of tunes like ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’ that have wider connect with citizens. There is also much subnational texture to such conflicts. For example, the Centre’s rejection of Tamil Nadu’s Republic Day tableau has gotten strong rebuttal from the state, with DMK leaders schooling the north about the contributions of the south’s freedom fighters who starred in the tableau.

But contrary to whatever the most vituperative tweets on opposite sides suggest, such contestation over historical meanings is not new, or necessarily bad. They are part of the rough and tumble of a diverse democracy, and contestations over meanings as well as readings of history are signs of healthy life in the public space. Of course, such debates often follow the power cycle – every political party in government that has the capacity and inclination promotes its own heroes and other assorted historical and cultural preferences. But the quest for power by convincing voters is one of the defining features of democracy. Therefore, this is natural, too. Yes, there are some red lines that define a democracy that must be respected in such contests. Otherwise, these so-called culture wars are simply a manifestation of politics.