About the Book

To answer this question, one that is central to the identity of every man, woman, and child who belongs to the modern Republic of India, eminent thinker and bestselling writer Shashi Tharoor explores hotly contested ideas of nationalism, patriotism, citizenship, and belonging. In the course of his study, he explains what nationalism is, and can be, reveals who is anti-national, what patriotism actually means, and explores the nature and future of Indian nationhood. He gives us a clear-sighted view of the forces working to undermine the ‘idea of India’ (a phrase coined by Rabindranath Tagore) that has evolved through history and which, in its modern form, was enshrined in India’s Constitution by its founding fathers. Divided into six sections, the book starts off by exploring historical and contemporary ideas of nationalism, patriotism, liberalism, democracy, and humanism, many of which emerged in the West in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and quickly spread throughout the world. The author then summarizes India’s liberal constitutionalism, exploring the enlightened values that towering leaders and thinkers like Gandhi, Nehru, Tagore, Ambedkar, Patel, Azad, and others invested the nation with. These are contrasted with the narrow-minded, divisive, sectarian, ‘us vs them’ alternatives formulated by Hindutva ideologues, and propagated by their followers who are now in office. Today, the battle is between these two opposing ideas of India, or what might be described as ethno-religious nationalism vs civic nationalism.

The struggle for India’s soul has heightened, deepened, and broadened, and threatens to hollow out and destroy the remarkable concepts of pluralism, secularism, and inclusive nationhood that were bestowed upon the nation at Independence. The Constitution is under siege, institutions are being undermined, mythical pasts propagated, universities assailed, minorities demonized, and worse. Every passing month sees new attacks on the ideals that India has long been admired for, as authoritarian leaders and their bigoted supporters push the country towards a state of illiberalism and intolerance. If they succeed, millions will be stripped of their identity, and bogus theories of Indian-ness will take root in the soil of the subcontinent. However, all is not yet lost, and this erudite and lucid book shows us what will need to be done to win the battle of belonging and strengthen everything that is unique and valuable about India. Firmly anchored in incontestable scholarship, yet passionately and fiercely argued, The Battle of Belonging is a book that unambiguously establishes what true Indian-ness is and what it means to be a patriotic and nationalistic Indian in the twenty-first century.

SHASHI THAROOR is the bestselling author of over twenty books, both fiction and non-fiction, besides being a noted critic and columnist. His books include the path-breaking satire The Great Indian Novel, the classic India: From Midnight to the Millennium, the bestselling An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India, for which he won the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Books (Non-Fiction), 2016, and, most recently, The New World Disorder and the Indian Imperative (co-authored with Samir Saran), The Paradoxical Prime Minister: Narendra Modi and His India, and The Hindu Way: An Introduction to Hinduism.

He was a former Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and a former Minister of State for Human Resource Development and Minister of State for External Affairs in the Government of India. In his third term, he is the longest-serving member of the Lok Sabha from Thiruvananthapuram and chairs Parliament’s Standing Committee on Information Technology. He has won numerous literary awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, and the Crossword Lifetime Achievement Award. He was honoured as New Age Politician of the Year by NDTV in 2010, and in 2004 with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, India’s highest honour for overseas Indians.

Author and politician Shashi Tharoor called this book his magnum opus and he rightly did so. After reading this book, I can actually say this book is his magnum opus.

Bringing together his observations as a critic, columnist and politician, Tharoor presents to us an insightful  collection of his thoughts on nationalism, patriotism and the identity of a normal Indian. Analyzing patriotism and nationalism at length, he further goes on to highlight the difference between pseudo-nationalism and true nationalism in these pages

In the last few years, a lot of Indians are questioning their sense of belonging. It can be safely assumed that the title of this book was inspired by one such discussion where the sense of belonging seems to have been lost and one needs to fight for it now – leading to The Battle of Belonging.

A place where you were born, the only place you have always known as homeland, your country and a place where you belong – now suddenly seems alien for many reasons. It can be the political atmosphere of the country or the chaos prevalent in the name of religion across the length and breadth of the nation. The fact still remains that we are the citizens of this place and we are feeling lost. His magnum opus is Tharoor’s way of trying to show the lost citizens a direction.

The book is neatly divided into six sections namely – the idea of nationalism, the idea of India, the Hindutva idea of India, the on-going battle of belonging, the anxiety of nationhood and reclaiming India’s soul. These sections are further divided into chapters which can be construed as important milestones in the history of the nation. From Kashmir to Ayodhya, From Gandhi’s Hinduism vs Hindutva to the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and NRC (the National Register of Citizens) – this books talks about it all. For a layman this is a brilliant walk down the memory lane and trace the history of the nation till the current times.

Tharoor does not shy away from giving his opinion on some topics which cannot be called easy-conversation-starters in today’s times. Neither does he mince with his words while shedding light on controversial topics like the assertion of Hindi or the doctrine of Hindutva.

It is particularly admirable how he dissects each and every topic in such great details. From the what, to why, how, where and what next – he has it all sorted in sequence. He even shares definitions and sources for the meanings to aide further readings for curious souls who want to know more.

Backed with immense research and brilliant observations, Tharoor adds a certain honesty to this book. I particularly enjoyed reading the chapter called Fighting Back, where he states,

Through this book, Tharoor makes an excellent case for civic nationalism combined with patriotism. His arguments in the favour of it, make you believe that this is the only way every Indian can get their rightful place intact with its honour and respect.

This book is by no means a dated statistic which speaks about things long forgone. It is very well updated and talks about the current scenario with an eerie detail. It also follows it all by a detailed bibliography at the end of the book which has so many interesting references for further reading. Something about the bibliography says this discussion is not going to end with this book. It is a topic which needs more books and more discussions.

Interestingly, Tharoor just does not talk about the problems in this book. He is in no mood to simply magnify the issues and analyze them cryptically for pages and pages, endlessly. After making his point, he swiftly moves to the solutions which according to him, can help us overcome the current situation we are in.

The epilogue of the book is titled – Winning the Battle of Belonging and begins with these lines,

This book is for each one of us who are desperately looking for answers to our questions. Growing up in a nation different than what we are living in right now, we are bound to be laden with questions. Strange as it may sound, we are surrounded by questions. Ones that we ask and ones that others around us are asking. Once again taking Shashi Tharoor’s words here to emphasize on the need for answers:

The only drawback I can claim for this book is that I wish this book was for masses. Both in content and pricing, this book is not something I can say every one will enjoy reading. It definitely needs loads of patience to devour a 450 pages book, with so many details to process, understand and analyze. It also needs someone who wants to be the change they wish to see in this nation.However, this does not take away the fact that this book is extremely important. And I would not be wrong is saying, this should be considered an important academic read in our country to encourage healthy debates and invite ideas and suggestions for this.

The book does not promise to be the answer to all, but it does promise to raise a lot of questions and make us think.

“The Battle of Belonging: On Nationalism, Patriotism, and What It Means to Be Indian” by Shashi Tharoor is an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of the concepts of nationalism and patriotism in contemporary India. Known for his eloquence and deep understanding of Indian politics, history, and culture, Tharoor uses this book to challenge prevailing ideas about what it means to be Indian and what Indian identity truly encompasses.

About the Author:

Shashi Tharoor is an Indian politician, diplomat, and writer. He is a member of the Indian Parliament and a prominent public intellectual. As a former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Tharoor is widely recognized for his erudition, sharp political analysis, and literary contributions. His books, such as “Riot: A Love Story”, “Pax Indica”, and “An Era of Darkness”, have established him as one of India’s most influential and articulate thinkers.

Overview of the Book:

“The Battle of Belonging” is a critical examination of the rise of nationalism in India, especially in the context of the current political climate under the influence of ideologies that promote Hindu nationalism and majoritarianism. Tharoor draws on historical examples, political discourse, and personal reflections to dissect the political and social ramifications of these movements.

In the book, Tharoor challenges the popular understanding of nationalism as something that is based on religion, culture, or ethnicity, offering a more inclusive definition of Indian identity. He delves into the importance of pluralism, tolerance, and the secular fabric that has historically defined India.

Key Themes:

1. Nationalism and Patriotism:

   • Tharoor distinguishes between nationalism and patriotism, emphasizing that patriotism is a love for the country and its values, while nationalism often gets co-opted for political agendas that are not necessarily in the country’s best interests. Nationalism, when it becomes exclusive, can lead to division, while patriotism promotes unity and the well-being of all citizens.

   • The book scrutinizes the dangerous rise of religious nationalism and how it undermines the inclusive spirit of the Indian nation. Tharoor argues that a true patriot embraces India’s plurality rather than diminishing it.

2. The Indian Identity:

   • Tharoor explores what it truly means to be Indian. He stresses that India’s identity is not just based on religious or cultural homogeneity but rather on the ability to accommodate diverse cultures, religions, languages, and identities.

   • He examines the contradictions inherent in the idea of India, where unity in diversity has always been a core value. The book examines how diversity should be celebrated as a strength, rather than as something that threatens the nation’s unity.

3. Historical Context and Legacy of British Colonialism:

   • Tharoor reflects on how colonialism shaped Indian identity and continues to influence modern nationalism and politics. He underscores how the legacy of colonial divisions (such as religious divides) continues to plague India and how the idea of India was shaped in opposition to colonial forces.

   • His critique of the post-colonial era shows how contemporary nationalism is sometimes distorted, drawing on colonial-era ideas that continue to perpetuate divisions.

4. Hindu Nationalism and Its Political Impact:

   • A significant portion of the book is dedicated to Hindu nationalism and its political impact on modern India. Tharoor critically examines the policies and rhetoric of political movements that seek to define Indian identity in religious and exclusionary terms. He critiques the use of Hindu majoritarianism as a means to undermine India’s secular foundations.

   • He compares the rise of Hindu nationalism with other nationalist movements around the world, emphasizing the need for inclusive patriotism that respects India’s secular roots.

5. The Role of the State and Politics in Shaping National Identity:

   • The book discusses how the state plays a critical role in shaping the national consciousness and identity. Tharoor delves into political rhetoric and how it can influence public opinion about what it means to be Indian. He critiques how political parties in power may manipulate ideas of national identity for electoral gains.

Writing Style:

Tharoor’s writing is known for its elegance and clarity, combined with sharp political insight. He employs a narrative style that makes complex issues accessible to the general reader without sacrificing intellectual rigor. His extensive knowledge of history, culture, and global politics allows him to weave a nuanced and insightful narrative that challenges conventional thinking.

The book is structured as a reflection on the evolving political landscape of India, offering both personal observations and critical analysis. Tharoor uses a combination of anecdotes, history, and contemporary examples to make his arguments compelling and relatable to a broad audience.

Reception:

“The Battle of Belonging” has received wide acclaim for its balanced critique of nationalism, its defense of India’s secular tradition, and its timely reflection on current political issues in India. The book has been praised for its thought-provoking insights, as well as for its ability to challenge popular narratives about Indian identity and patriotism. Critics have also appreciated Tharoor’s ability to invoke historical and cultural references while making the topic of nationalism relevant to the modern reader.

Conclusion:

“The Battle of Belonging” is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the current debates surrounding nationalism, identity, and patriotism in India. Tharoor’s analysis offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to be Indian, calling for a more inclusive and pluralistic definition of national identity. In a time when nationalism is often weaponized for political gain, Tharoor’s book serves as a powerful reminder of the values that should define India: unity, diversity, and secularism.