The old adage ‘Content is King’ has become ever so relevant in contemporary times. In fact, one could go a step further and suggest that the need for restoration of the ‘Supremacy of Content’ has become paramount.
We live in an era that is witnessing a constant deterioration in content quality across several domains and the content aimed at spreading the message of nationalism is no exception. Unfortunately.
The rapidly growing chorus of nationalists on social media platforms and the gripping display of passion on television debates is worthy of appreciation but that it appears to have taken the lead over most other modes (primarily intellectual in nature and catering to the grass-roots level) of strengthening the nationalistic narrative is a big concern. The intent is right but the procedure and the execution demand tremendous improvement.
What may sound like an unpopular opinion among certain nationalistic circles in India is a reality that must be accepted sooner rather than later.
In the post-independent India, the idea of nationalism took a beating for decades under successive Congress regimes before Narendra Modi took charge of the country in 2014. When Modi became the Prime Minister, it did not just promise a change in people’s fortunes but also guaranteed a revival of nationalism. Nationalists have gone the extra mile ever since to fight the dangerous pseudo-left-liberal agenda that presents nationalism as a form of ideological extremism.
The movement dedicated to ensuring that India’s nationalistic pride stays ahead of the false propaganda has been taken up at multiple levels - from TV studios to social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook. It fills the hearts of all nationalists with great satisfaction and elation when they find their sentiments echoed by their compatriots and representatives. Nothing can be more encouraging than to see thousands of people joining the struggle and calling out those who challenge the idea of a unified India, the bedrock of which is formed by a philosophy of undiluted nationalism.
However, passion alone is incapable of taking this movement further. It is a proper blend of narrative and strategy that will - therefore, it is the ‘content’.
Hence, the time has come for like-minded nationalists to unite and revisit the times when there was no social media and broadcasting was not as pronounced as it is today. History proves that the richer the content and stronger the manner in which it is circulated, the better the result. The greater the effort, the greater the glory.
The key is to strike a balance between the traditional style of generating awareness and creating mass mobilisation through the dissemination of credible and intellectual information via public gatherings, community-building etc; and making the best use of digital and broadcasting space. Sadly, a greater emphasis is being given to the latter while there is very little focus on the former. This certainly cannot be the way forward. In the current scenario, the simultaneous implementation of both conventional and modern formulas is crucial. One is not a substitute for the other.
Rather than merely addressing the issues at hand, much attention ought to be given to making people aware of the genesis of the problems. Television and social media do not provide adequate intellectual space for that. Due to the nature of these platforms, they counterproductively condition people to prefer sensational and dynamic content over the content that delves into the nub of the matter.
In order to educate a generation about the history and circumstances that led to a particular present situation, imparting information historically, conceptually and analytically through community-building is imperative and one of the most effective ways of doing it - the conventional way! It will add scholarly solidity to the movement and work wonders in defeating the fake narrative of left-liberalism that aims to weaken the foundations of this nation.
In this regard, one could cite the pertinent example of persecution of Kashmiri Pandits in the name of Islamist extremism. The Modi era has exposed the duplicity and hypocrisy of the anti-India Kashmiri political class in the valley like never before. Today India is cognisant of the reality that KPs are victims of Islamic terror and Hinduphobia, which has reduced them to the status of refugees in their own country. The overall awareness about the atrocities inflicted on KPs is much higher than it was a decade ago. But India needs to dig deeper and know more, much more.
Sadly right now, the discussion has gotten confined to what transpired in the 90s and thereafter. This is the time to look through the transparent walls of history and understand how the centuries-old Hindu ethos of Kashmir was systematically attacked with the nefarious ambition to convert Kashmir into a radical Islamic territory. The Hindu legacy of the valley is massive, spanning across centuries until invaders and extremists decided to obliterate it. The deepest dark secrets of how it all transpired must be shared with the youth.
Every movement must graduate from one stage to another which is the only way for it to sustain and produce the desired result. Similarly, the nationalistic movement must progress into the next phase so that it can overcome the pseudo-liberal India-bashing propaganda with colossal force. Through the employment of conventional means of mass mobilisation, nationalism in its truest essence can percolate deep into the ideological framework of all nation-lovers.
Nationalists must prioritise building communities and creating local leaderships to embolden the movement and to render the power of knowledge to those dedicated to the nationalistic cause. Because knowledge is real power.
The process must start with every neighbourhood, every family and so on. It is like a warrior going back to the basics to get ready for the big battle. And this battle is to be fought on the basis of knowledge, intellect and superior content with a mission to fortify those for whom nationalism is their identity and to bring the misguided back on track.
Over and above the showcasing of fervour and commitment on TV and social media, it is incumbent on all nationalists, therefore, to empower themselves with knowledge and critical information, drawing the focus back on what was mentioned right at the beginning of this piece - ‘Content is King’.
image source : legalbites.in
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