Sikkya Bushan Chakma
“Unity in Diversity” is what India represents to the world tactfully. The protagonists and prime movers of the Indian Constitution tactically penned it down to safeguard and dignify the minority communities.
To prove oneself as an Indian, appearance should not dominate. It should be about who I am and where I reside — above all, what the Constitution guarantees me. Despite this, Indians — predominantly Northeasterners — need to prove and defend their identity as Indian citizens. Being targeted with questions like “Are you Chinese?” or “You don’t look Indian” may sound simple, but carries a deeper predicament about what an Indian is supposed to look like.
India is not limited to a single culture, language, or ethnicity; it reflects civilizational diversity from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh. The idea of being Indian is not identical; devaluing Indianness based on certain unique features hinders the very concept of India as a nation. The law of the land does not allow us to define a nation of citizens based on appearances or ethnicity — it defines us through liberty, equality, and fraternity. All, regardless of region, ethnicity, or physical traits, enjoy equal constitutional rights and dignity. To question someone’s nationality based on their appearance is not merely ignorance; it is a complete rejection of constitutional values.
The people of the Northeast have shared cultures and ethnicities with East and Southeast Asians. They have predominantly lived in this region long before the concept of modern boundaries existed. Their struggles, languages, and cultures are indispensable to the Indian story. Labeling them as Chinese is not just ignorance — it is the beginning of an attempt to erase their identity and contribution to nation-building.
India has set a crystal-clear global example of “Unity in Diversity.” The Iron Man of India, Sardar Patel, once said, “India’s stronghold lies in unity despite tremendous diversity.” The Fundamental Rights enshrined in Article 15 of the Indian Constitution clearly state that discrimination on the grounds of race and ethnicity is wrong. This very idea of unity shatters when diversity is miscommunicated. Those who fail to uphold this idea cannot claim to be true nationalists or patriots. True nationalism lies in protecting every citizen’s dignity, not in targeting them based on physical characteristics. Indian identity is defined by civic nationalism, not racial nationalism. One may have unique eyes, food habits, cultures, and languages, yet still be unquestionably Indian. To proclaim “I am an Indian, not Chinese” is not an act of defense; it is an affirmation of constitutional identity — a wake-up call to recognize that India’s strength lies not in similarity, but in embracing diversity without hesitation.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: We Propagate It to the World, Yet Fail at Home
The idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is what India proudly presents to the world. Yet, setting aside cosmopolitan ideals, we as Indians often fail to uphold this very principle within our own society.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam means “The whole world is one family.” We promote this idea internationally, include it in official documents, and celebrate it as a civilizational value — but we often fail to treat our fellow citizens as members of that same family. If the world is one family, why do Indian Northeasterners still need to prove where they belong?
From enduring racial slurs to being treated as outsiders, Northeastern Indian people face questions daily about where they are “really” from and why they “don’t look Indian.” This unfair treatment creates a painful gap between our ideals and practices. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam cannot survive if it breaks at its foundational level.
The Indian Constitution, inspired by the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, does not demand uniformity of language, culture, or ethnicity. Instead, it binds our diversity into one political and moral community. When discrimination of any kind takes root, it signifies not just a societal failure, but also a failure to uphold constitutional values.
Philosophically, the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam teaches empathy beyond frontiers. Yet, in matters of ethnicity, it also demands recognition and respect within our own territory. It is unfortunate that while we proclaim the whole world as one family, we exclude certain races within our own home. Universal brotherhood begins at our doorstep — it cannot be imposed externally. India’s strength lies in its diversity; it should not be treated as a burden, but embraced wholeheartedly. When diversity loses its dignity, division arises. Cultural pride means nothing without social equality. Civilizational values are not measured by what is quoted, but by how people live and share equal status and dignity.
To truly represent Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, India must first ensure that every Indian feels equally Indian — without needing to justify it on any grounds. When brotherhood becomes a lived reality rather than a performance, only then can India truly be called one family — at home and in the world.
I am an Indian. That should be enough.
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Sikkya Bushan Chakma is from Mizoram with an MA in Political Science
