Many forces and factors are at work in the formation of a nation. Unity of race, religion, region, customs, culture and language has been identified as the ground of nationality.
A group of people united by these factors, the individual members of which are conscious of such a unity among them, is naturally inclined to help and protect their members. They understand the feelings of each other, share their grief and happiness and discuss their approaches to the problems facing them in this worldly life.
Unity of descent is the most prominent cause of solidarity in a group. Common language is helpful both in expression, reception and transmission of the ideas and feelings. Living in the same geographical region generates the impulse for protecting and guarding oneself and the fellows from the foreigners. Common civilization and shared customs join the group in their manners of living and mental approach most affectively.
When these factors in a community work to hold its members together a sense of solidarity and mutual help develops in its members. The community tends to seek for itself a distinct unity and develops a sense of superiority over other communities. When all the above factors are found in a community it, quite naturally, wants sovereignty for itself and requires complete freedom from the influence of foreign groups. It wants to manage its affairs independently.
We do not mean that in presence of all these factors, working to unite the community, there remains no point of difference and conflict among the members of the community. In practical life personal and familial benefits of different people continue colliding. But a more superior authority always works to settle such disputes and people submit to its decisions. Such obedience before a superior power does not mean that the people are forced to subdue themselves before that power against their will. It, on the contrary, reflects that national and communal interests are protected against personal benefits. All the factions of a nation must remain ready to give up their interest for the protection of the national interests. If an individual is not ready to sacrifice his petty personal interests he would eventually be compelled to give up all his rights. This is a real political sense and it is this sense that lends a community the status of a political nationality.
(Translated by Tariq Mahmood Hashmi) |
