Omar: Indian political system recognises different identities

Srinagar 11.9.2009: The political system in India has recognised and allowed the celebration of different identities, symbols and marks, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said here on Saturday.

“We have been able to weave the fabric of a composite Indian culture and society, and the national identity of the country reflects different shades and colours,” he said.

Addressing the 35th All-India Sociological Conference on ‘Identity, Development and Nation-Building’ at Kashmir University, Mr. Abdullah said the parliamentary democratic system of India had heightened the expectations of people with different social and cultural identities. “It equally provides the opportunities for their satisfaction,” he said.

“Identity and nation-building has been the perennial theme of post-colonial independent states of the world. During the colonial rule, right of assertion of identity along with other rights of the people were suppressed and subjugated. The efforts of the colonial masters were to confront the identities against each other instead of providing them the opportunities of maintaining a harmonious level. In most of the cases, the colonisers had little comprehension of the dynamics of identities,” Mr. Abdullah said. He added that in India’s post-Independence phase, identities were provided enough opportunities through democratic processes and institutions to assert and satisfy their urges.

The Chief Minister said nation-building was a concept which involved the process of constructing a national identity using different resources. “The objective of this process is the unity of the people to ensure political stability and national development.”

He said the developmental strategies and processes were crucial for forging national unity and achieving the objective of nation-building. “It is important to note that the assertion of identity should not hamper the process of development and nation-building. In some cases, over-assertion of identities leads to the violation of constitutional boundaries. This process ultimately results in confrontation and instabilities in societies.” (Agencies)