Identity: real or imagined

I promised I would talk about “identity” in my next blog, so here goes.

Is “identity“ tangible? Is it a proven fact, substantiated by science? Can it be calculated, stipulated, enunciated, fabricated? The answer is “NO”, even though the aye-sayers always win the day. Every human being is born with a unique identity, but because of the forces of nature—social, spiritual, political, geographical, or otherwise, we tend to parade our assumed identity, or, in certain cases, blot it out completely.

I am an AngloIndian. My identity is specifically enshrined (in black and white) in the Indian Constitution (see Article 366/2). The important fact is that I am Indian (and always will be), with a corollary that accurately identifies a person like me. Which other country gives a specific identity to the AngloIndian? If you know your history, and your geography, you know the answer to that. You may maintain your Anglo-Indian identity in all the other parts of the world, but if you do not accept the mores and practises of your adopted country, you will always be hyphenated, broken, and disoriented.

Did you notice the difference, dear Readers? For a citizen of India, I use the term “AngloIndian”—with no distinguishing “hyphen” separating the two words. That is the difference, the truth. All others are disjointed, neither here or there, and, for the most part, running around like headless chickens. Harsh words, I agree, but it is time to grow up, cut the crap, and be the person you really are.

You may ask: “Who is an Indian?” Is he/she Hindu, or Muslim, or something else? Is an “Indian” from a specific region of the country only? Does he/she communicate in only one language? Is he/she vegetarian or otherwise? Does he/she like the game of cricket or not? You may add any number of questions to the list, but the answers will always be tied to the initial conundrum—which came first! If you ask the North- American tribal Indian, he/she will say that the “white” man was the interloper and spoiler. Ask in most parts of the world and you will probably get the same answer, or something very similar to it. So “identity” today is something that is established—erroneously—by majoritarianism, which is akin to authoritarianism, and to hell with minority rights (forget about privileges, for they come only with Catch-22 circumstances and fringe benefits).

Today, more than ever, “identity “ is impossible to prove. Your Passport is only a travel document, your Aadhar card is just a unique number with questionable perks, your Income Tax card is again something unique, for you will suffer the consequences willy-nilly, your Ration card indicates whether you are eligible to receive payouts (in cash or kind), and your School/ College library card may become useful when you play hooky.

“Identity” has very much to do with the “self”. It helps a person negotiate his/ her place in the world, develop personal and interpersonal skills, accept heredity and society, and be at one with one’s perceptions and position. “Identity” does not flaunt itself, for that would be boorish and clumsy; more, it exudes charm and delight and satisfaction, which is what may be seen in a well-rounded person. It is something you are born with, something you must nurture, something you must cherish, for it defines the essential you. It exhibits completeness, even as the self continues to evolve, to adapt, to accept, and always to observe. Further “Identity“ allows you to make value judgments, not based on hearsay and assumption; it focuses on facts and figures, as they present themselves.

Many of you may have read Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter “. Poor Hester has to wear her badge of shame for most of her not-so-miserable life, but the big and bold “A” on her bodice gives her an identity. This is fortified by the novelist’s description of her as “a pure woman”. What understanding, what empathy, what judgment! In our caged-up (or not so caged-up) worlds, we preen ourselves, we project ourselves as paragons of virtue and wisdom and culture at the expense of others, not realising that when we point a finger at someone, there are a few pointing backwards, at us.

Until next time, folks.