What it Means to be an Indian

For some, the thoughts come easily, dripping with patriotism or pure venom. For others, it needs hours of conversation for the words and feelings, usually buried deep or hardly ever considered, to surface. INDIA TODAY presents frank, unguarded thoughts of some of the best known -- and some totally unknown -- people across the nation who make up the fabric of India. After 50 years of Independence, this is the voice of India, a reflection of who we are. It shows how far we have come. And how far we need to go.

Interview by KALLI PURIE
Photograph by BANDEEP SINGH

ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE Leader of the Opposition, former prime minister
Hinduism is not equal to an Indian identity. These days, there has been a confusion about the meaning of the word 'Hindu'. It has come to be identified with a religion. For so many centuries this was not the case. Even when a Muslim went abroad, they would call him a Hindu. It was a name given to all those people who resided this side of the Hindukush.

After Partition, Muslims had problems adjusting. They felt that maybe by calling themselves Indian, they were endangering Islam. This confusion will last a few days. Today there is such an unfortunate situation that in Hindustan, a Muslim thinks he is in danger and, strangely enough, a Hindu also thinks he is in danger, when there is actually no danger. Politicians play on this. I am not separating myself from this. The game has started and no political party is separate from it.

That's why I prefer to use the word 'Indian'. It's enough if everyone here says they are Indian. I feel Indian because I feel I have, and will have, a hand in the future of this country.

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