In Indian nationalism, the dominant trend was marked by an inclusive and democratic vision. Inclusive because it recognised diversity and plurality. Democratic because it sought to do away with discrimination and exclusion and bring forth a just and equitable society. The term ‘people’ has not been seen in exclusive terms, referring to any specific group defined by religion, ethnicity, race or caste. Ideas of humanism influenced Indian nationalists, and the ugly aspects of exclusive nationalism were extensively commented upon by leading figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.

What was Tagore's opposition to exclusive nationalism?

Tagore opposed nationalism which creates internal others within the population. Tagore opposed Defining a nation by naming a section of people as others. Tagore opposed the Indian state or any form of state because of its Arabian origins. Tagore wanted Indians to cooperate with the British and establish an international state.

Tagore opposed Defining a nation by naming a section of people as others.

Rabindranath Tagore on the evils of exclusive nationalism …where the spirit of the Western nationalism prevails, the whole people is being taught from boyhood to foster hatred and ambitions by all kinds of means -- by the manufacture of half-truths and untruths in history, by persistent misrepresentation of other races and the culture of unfavourable sentiments towards them…Never think for a moment that the hurt you inflict upon other races will not infect you, or that the enemities you sow around your homes will be a wall of protection to you for all time to come? To imbue the minds of a whole people with an abnormal vanity of its own superiority, to teach it to take pride in its moral callousness and ill- begotten wealth,.