Sit down, faux nationalists

In the last few years, on India’s news channels, it is not uncommon to see anchors huffing and puffing hysterically about “anti-nationals”. In fact, the phrase has become near ubiquitous. Every time an individual does not conform to a dominant narrative, their patriotism is called into question.

- BARKHA DUTT

The horror of what is unfolding in Manipur should make us challenge these faux nationalists.

Over the last few weeks I have been documenting testimonies from the state of those who have suffered, been killed, raped and tortured. Among the victims and survivors are a military veteran, a legislator of the ruling BJP and the ageing wife of a freedom fighter. The horror of what has been inflicted on them should make us banish the loose use of this banal and overused phrase—anti-national— from our political and media lexicon. Either that or we should start calling out those who are truly against the interests of an inclusive India.