Nationalism vs. Patriotism: A Necessary Distinction

In an era of rising polarisation and identity politics, two words are often thrown around as if they mean the same thing—nationalism and patriotism. But they don’t. In fact, the difference between them may determine whether a society stays free or succumbs to authoritarianism.

 

“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.”

— Edward Abbey            

 

This quote captures the essence of patriotism—a deep, reasoned love for one’s country that includes the courage to question those in power. A patriot is not a sycophant. A patriot critiques because he cares. He pushes for better because he refuses to settle for less.

 

Nationalism: Loyalty or Leash?

 

Nationalism today often hides behind flags, slogans, and populist rage. It equates government with the nation, so any criticism of those in charge is branded as betrayal.

 

“Nationalism is power hunger tempered by self-deception.”

— George Orwell

 

As per modern nationalism:

• Asking questions is seen as disloyal.
• Dissent is demonised.
• Identity becomes weaponised.

 

Worse, it’s often amplified by a media that has traded its role as a watchdog for that of a cheerleader. Outlets that call themselves “nationalist” frequently behave like echo chambers, parroting the state’s narrative while branding dissenters as anti-national. Once a mirror to power, journalism now acts as a megaphone for propaganda.

 

And that’s precisely why I choose to question it—because unquestioned belief leads to unaccountable power.

  

Patriotism: The Braver Path

 

Patriotism is harder. It’s quieter. It demands introspection. It stands up when it’s easier to stay seated. It believes in the strength of a country to confront its flaws and grow, not hide behind them.

 

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Patriotism is not loud. It doesn’t seek validation through slogans. It seeks truth. It is a challenge for the sake of progress, not for power.

 

A healthy democracy needs patriots, not nationalists.

It needs citizens who ask, not just those who obey.

It needs people who love their country enough to hold its government accountable.

Why I Stay Away from Nationalism

 

I stay away from nationalism not because I lack love for my country, but because I refuse to surrender my mind to blind loyalty.

 

Nationalism, especially in its current form, often demands:

• Obedience over thought
• Emotion over reason
• Conformity over conscience

It equates criticism with betrayal and glorifies power while silencing dissent. Once you’re emotionally invested in such an ideology, it becomes increasingly difficult to separate truth from tribalism.

 

“Beliefs drive thoughts, and thoughts drive actions.”

And when belief becomes dogma, actions inevitably become dangerous.

 

The Road Ahead

 

What once took a century to change now shifts in a year. In this age of accelerating disruption—climate crises, technological upheavals, widening inequality—blind loyalty is a luxury we can no longer afford.

The future demands citizens who think, not just react. It demands:

• Minds that question, not just hearts that cheer.
• Integrity that resists the comfort of conformity.
• A love for country that is courageous, not performative.

 

The survival of democracy depends not on how loudly we chant but on how deeply we care. And patriotism, in its truest form, is not about standing behind the government.

 

It’s about standing up for your country—

Even when it means standing alone. 

वक़्त की साज़िश

ज़िन्दगी वक़्त की साज़िश है,
हर खुशी एक कशमकश है।
जो मिला, वो खोने का डर,
जो न मिला, वो पाने की ख्वाहिश है।

The Death of Curiosity: When Questions Become Threats

We live in an age where people no longer seek knowledge; they seek affirmation. Conversations that were once spaces for exploration have turned into battlegrounds for identity. The pursuit of truth has been overshadowed by the need to defend, to belong, to be right.

Once, the simple act of asking “Why?” was an invitation to dialogue, a bridge between perspectives. Now, it is a litmus test of allegiance.

Take the question, “Why do you believe in God?”—a question that, at a different time, might have sparked a profound and honest discussion. Today, it is often met with suspicion, as if curiosity itself were an attack. The same reaction surfaces when questioning political views (“Why do you support this party?”), personal choices (“Why do you follow this diet?”), or social policies (“Why do you think this law is fair?”). Instead of seeing questions as doors to understanding, many perceive them as walls to defend.

This shift reflects a growing discomfort with intellectual vulnerability. The modern mind, rather than hungering for wisdom, seeks the comfort of certainty. We don’t want to be challenged; we want to be reassured. We don’t seek knowledge; we seek validation. And in doing so, we insulate ourselves from the very things that shape us—new perspectives, refined ideas, and expanded worldviews.

When Dialogue Becomes War

Look at the way debates unfold today—whether in personal circles, workplaces, or digital spaces. If someone asks, “Why do you believe in capitalism?” or “What makes socialism better?”, the response is rarely a thoughtful exchange. Instead, it becomes a battle. The goal is not to explore, but to conquer—to prove one’s side superior, to dismiss dissent, to emerge unchallenged.

And if someone dares to question a widely accepted narrative, they are not merely debated; they are branded. “Ignorant.” “Bigoted.” “Brainwashed.” The labels come swiftly, meant to silence rather than engage. The space for discussion is closing, and in its place, a culture of reactionary defensiveness has taken root.

But this defensiveness is a symptom of something deeper—fear. A belief untested is a fragile belief. A worldview that cannot withstand scrutiny is not a worldview at all—it is merely an echo chamber. And so, rather than confront discomfort, we shut it down.

Curiosity Is Not an Attack

Growth demands discomfort. It requires us to sit with uncertainty, to embrace the possibility that we might be wrong, that we might have something to learn.

Instead of retreating into defensiveness, we should welcome difficult questions. Why do we believe what we believe? Why do we reject what we reject? These are not threats; they are the foundation of wisdom. A belief that is never questioned is a belief that is never truly understood.

If we are to reclaim the lost art of meaningful dialogue, we must revive curiosity. We must resist the urge to shut down, to dismiss, to defend blindly. 

We must remember that truth does not fear questions—it welcomes them.

AGAM CONCERT JUNE - 2022 HYDERABAD

 It was Urvi's First Concert and Thanks to Sandilya in whose company I and Siri attended the concert.

It was a memorable and mesmerising evening

Slokam - ganapathi

Guru brahma

Subramanye Sada sivoham

Barse 

Ranagpura vihara

Swans of Saraswati

Bantureeti Koluvu

Manavyalakincharaadate

Parivaadi padmanabha

Vurike chilaka - Tamil

Malargale - love birds

Sreeragamo

Malhaar Jam

Koothu over Coffee

Everyone solo 

Jugalbandi of Percussion and Drummer

Dhi tana tana tai