Rihana, India and Pakistan. The Nationalism and religion

When the diplomats were drawing the physical and ideological lines in Westphalia, they were performing one of the most decisive and divisive acts, separating the religion from the state. It is relevant in many ways even today. The reason why I am putting pen to paper today is not to elucidate why one should be a-religious when it comes to the state or the other way around but to tell you that the state has become a more decisive factor in policy and sentiments as compared to religion. The recent controversy of Rihanna and the state of India is one of the many examples. Although she did not hurt the religious sentiments of the Indians she voiced her support for the protesting farmers. She garnered a mixed response from the left-wing politicians who support dissent. But she has found most support among the Pakistanis for her tweet. This is not because we like Rihana or support what she says or display but what she did indirectly supported our nationalism. This is the same Rihana who was chided and ridiculed and coerced for her song where she used a sacred text as background music for her garment promotion show. She was the most hateful and unlikely to get Pakistani support until 3 days before when she suddenly became our favorite. Not because she apologized for hurting our religious sentiments but for voicing support for farmers in India, and there is nothing more important for us, Pakistanis, to see India falling although we have the same situation within our borders. What this tells us is that religion is secondary when it comes to nationalism, that is rising around the globe and it is of prime importance for Pakistanis when it comes to India, our arch-rival.

In the coming days, you would witness chaos and anarchy in the capital Delhi that our side will celebrate as a success yet we will also justify the injustice and political victimization and protests culling as national interest.