Nationalism and the understanding of its effect

I recently had read a Paper compiled by a Student at Yale University. The topic was relating to India and it was primarily concerned with the revival of Hindu Nationalism in today's context. Although it was a great compilation of ideas, the end result was a bit disturbing. The argument in some paragraphs was that Nationalism by the majority Hindu Public will act as a safeguard for the Democratic instituitions in the country, and it is this line which disturbs me in a lot of ways.

First and foremost, whenever Nationalist sentiments rise, the primary motive is to change the existing socio-economic order. In the dynamics of today's world, change in the socio-economic system by passive means seems an improbability. Rather, change is bought about by the use of either force or revolution. The bottomline is Nationalism leads INTO Anarchy, while Anarchy degenerates Democracy. Thus, Nationalism instead of protecting democracy instead threatens the very foundation of the democratic setup in the country.

Second, with relation to India, Nationalism will always be interpreted in the context of Post Babri Masjid or Post Godhra. It was indeed these two watershed events that have given Nationalism a deplorable scenario in the country. The dynamics of Nationalism in a particular country yields various results. The question of Hindu Nationalism need not arise because of the fact that the Hindus are a Majority. The world is now no longer at a stage where so few have managed to conquer so many. Hence, the very factor of Nationalism is detrimental to the social tranquility of the country.

Finally, the concept of Hindu Nationalism is not a viable option for the country. Those people who cloak Extreme Nationalism under the pretext of reasserting their presences reflect the real threat to the country. If Hindu Nationalism gains ground in the years to come, it will set of a domino reaction in the whole country. The North-Eastern part of the country, Kashmir and several other minority and linguistic groups will also start of a chain reaction, thus leading into fragmentation. Nationalism might protect te democratic instituitions of a country, but the country itself could itself loose its Integrity.

The future of this country lies in the process of Mainstreaming each section of the population of the country. Following the path of Tolerance, Equality and Secularism will be beneficial for the country. If people can put aside linguistic or religious differences aside, then the country will progess as a great power without the aid of Nationalism. Nationalism might be good in some cases, but it will be foolhardy to believe that this process might achieve the ends of a nation.