The phrase “Incredible Nation” often carries with it a deep-seated pride in its culture, which is frequently presented as a timeless, monolithic entity. For those who support this view, culture is a legacy to be preserved, a sacred trust passed down through generations. This conservative perspective holds that the wisdom of the past is the best guide for the future, and that traditions, built over centuries, provide the moral and social stability a society needs. They often see external, liberal influences as a threat and as a corrosive force that erodes the very foundations of their identity and values.
But these conservative ideas started to feel hollow when I saw the contradictions that arise from clinging to a rigid past. Cultural conservatism in India is mostly expressed in the institutions of family and marriage. For Example, in the traditional system of arranged marriage – marriage has been mostly viewed as a contractual agreement made for economic and societal reasons, with the belief that love is something that can grow after the commitment is made. Proponents argue that arranged marriages are more successful because they are built on a foundation of family support from both sides.Conversely, practices that challenge this traditional model, such as live-in relationships, face significant cultural stigma, particularly within conservative families. This stigma is rooted in the belief that marriage is the only acceptable form of cohabitation, and those who choose otherwise often face social isolation, judgment, and a tremendous emotional burden.
One such another Example- While India’s Constitution banned discrimination based on caste and established affirmative policies to uplift historically marginalized groups, caste remains a crucial factor in daily life, influencing access to resources, political representation, and social standing. This creates a notable gap between constitutional ideals and lived reality.
I was taken aback to learn that in some corners of our society, even in the most fundamental acts of compassion like adoption, outdated social hierarchies and traditions like caste are prioritised. This unyielding adherence to the past, where the needs of the individual are sacrificed for traditions, make me question the moral authority of this “great” cultural vision and the core tenets of cultural conservatism.
Rather than addressing genuine societal problems, such as economic inequality or domestic abuse, the conservative response is often to double down on traditional values, using a rhetoric of cultural purity to deflect from systemic failures.
Why did we take this path? Indian cultural conservatism arose as a direct response to colonialism and the perceived loss of sovereignty and cultural power under European rule. This post-colonial reaction led to a form of cultural revivalism and traditionalism that sought to heed back to a “glorious past” that existed before foreign invasions. This historical grounding means that Indian conservatism is inextricably linked with nationalism, which provided a basis for questioning colonialism and forming a distinctive Indian identity. It is rooted in a post-colonial desire to reclaim a distinct national identity, a project that is profoundly intertwined with a political ideology of cultural nationalism, now being exploited to divide and gain vote banks.
True culture is not a static object to be protected from the winds of change. It is a living, breathing process, constantly in motion. A liberal approach to culture understands that its strength lies in its ability to adapt and evolve, shedding the practices that cause harm and embracing new ideas that promote justice and human flourishing.
Our cultural heritage is undoubtedly rich, but one should not treat it as infallible and also the core of it often gets lost in translations and perceptions leading to the birth of tainted ideologies to the benefit of political parties. Instead of clinging to a rigid notion of “perfect culture” that is threatened by change, we should have the courage to engage in an honest dialogue between tradition and progress. Only by doing so can we build a society that is not just “incredible” in its history, but also just, dynamic, and compassionate in its future.
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