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"A nation can be a state only if there is perfect respect for one another, social equality and no majoritarianism. This is the secular imperative for South Asia."

This thought coming off Indian Minister Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar at the event held at the BMICH to mark President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's 10th year in office may not have found acceptance among ethno-centric, run-of-the mill opinion.

Nevertheless, it was the most celebrated pronouncement in his speech to one and all, to get Sri Lanka back to rails - to what it was over 50 years ago when the very communities that lie divided today were those that fought cheek by jowl for Ceylon's deliverance from white rule.

Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar delivered a lecture on ‘The Secular Imperative for South Asia at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall to mark the completion of ten years in the Presidency of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. The lecture was chaired by Foreign Affairs Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. He was accompanied on the dais by Ports and Aviation and Information and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

Blaming state tension to be the cause of separation and birth of nations within a state, he also viewed the failure on the part of the state itself to bring about a composite society that resulted in disgruntled minorities. But then, to Aiyar, the birth of these community - based territorial entities itself was no answer as was evident in his terms of reference.

The Yugoslavian, Serbian, Kroatian and Bosnian experiences, not to forget that of the Soviet Union, were adequate in revealing the pain of separation. Therefore, Aiyar's answer to avoid such was the state's paternalistic role in rendering equality and human dignity to all it's citizens devoid of sectarianism and majority centred rule - the main cause leading to sidelining certain segments of the population.

However, there was slight contradiction in Aiyar who fared well upto the time that this writer questioned him on what could be done about politicians that eternally put forth ethnic centric feelings - a vote - catching lollipop as it comes at election time.

This then brought to writer's mind the obstacles in the realization of such goal because since independence, particulary in countries of the South Asian region, the mobilization of masses on ethnic-linguistic lines is very conspicuous. Thus Aiyar's earlier claim for a state's paternal role into bringing forth a composite state would be far more effective where politicians work towards egalitarian values than leave the already captive mind to decide acceptance or rejection.

Aiyar's rendition of the South Asian celebration of heterogeneity, cradled amid impenetrable mountains in the North and the deep blue ocean setting with it's diverse religions, cultural, racial, caste and ethnic groups for whom living together in tolerance and harmony which itself is the South Asian experience was both exotic and rhythmic and reminded this writer of Shiva's great cosmic dance, the neat layout of God Almighty and the intricate weavings of Brahma.

Said Aiyar; "There is no threat to Indian unity than the European concept of nationality. The other example of creating nations is America. You can be anything, still you can be in the American melting pot. There is no way of finding differences.

Is this possible in Asia? I say No, because we the South Asians have not migrated into South Asia.

We make up a diversity living in this part of the world for thousands of years. The languages here number nearly 35 with 4,000 dialects. The Indian constitution has recognized 25 languages. Our clothing is extraordinary. So is our food. What is eaten in Sri Nagar is not eaten in Mylapore. To some in our societies marriages during night is much favoured and to others it is the devil's time.

"The diversity of language, culture, custom, tradition and religion - out of which should emerge the nation state. Other countries there were that tried to solve their problem they saw as being the problem of diversity." "Take Yugoslavia" said Aiyar - "the 1990s saw its worst blood bath. The Yugoslavian population is one thirtieth of India and one fortieth of South Asia. See what happened there in the separation attempt."

He thus warned of the dangers of every community asking a separate nation. "If a nation's identity is to be preserved, the state must be benevolent patron," he said and insisted on the state's positive impact on South Asian societies in maintaining a composite nation state to prevent fragmentation.

The unique geographical position and the varied exotic societies living within the South Asian enclave, Aiyar saw as our claim to antiquity. "We cannot claim antiquity otherwise, except through this heterogeneity because others claim to antiquity of civilizational inheritance is much older, like for instance, the Asyrian, Mesopotamian, Chinese and Greek & Roman civilizations. Though in South Asia we cannot claim common civilizational inheritance at least we can share the strands."

Aiyar also referred to the answers of the past so very relevant for changes in South Asia. There was a time when South Asia readily accepted whatever coming into its domain from the world outside. From the 3rd century BC to 7th century AD, India for a thousand years was a Buddhist country. It was the value system that transformed Buddhist India into a Hindu majority country", according to Aiyar.

"Arab traders likewise came to Sri Lanka bringing the Holy Prophet's message. Very little is told about it's peaceful contact," said Aiyar adding that what we are told is they came with the sword which then reduces Islam to sin.

"For over 150 years the message of Islam spread. From 712 AD for 500 years there was very little military conflict between Muslims and Hindus but the Prophet's message spread because of its value appeal among the Hindu following. The Islamic concept of equality as against the karmic cause into low social status caught on and got into the traditional value system.

Said Aiyar, "So when it came to a place of worship both Batsha and Gulam took to ablution before going to pray. Equality was thus demonstrated. Islam's emphasis on the absence of an intermediary between man and God and the fact that you could speak to God in any language - not necessarily Sanskrit - appealed to many Hindus. How could the Hindu value system face this equality?" asked Aiyar.

He also referred to the Greek and Roman presence in Pakistan. "The technique of Greek and Roman architecture is evident there." He also pointed out the great impact of Christianity in South Asia.

"So whatever that came from out we in South Asia accepted. The genius of South Asian civilisation was simplicity. We have the capacity not only to tolerate but celebrate diversity," he added and continued, "This was why Gandhi wanted India's doors and windows opened for all cultures to blow in. That diversity must be welded to come into a single nation."

He called for a composite nationhood to go along with one Sri Lankan state. The fact that one is a Tamil is no obstacle to being Sri Lankan.

As for securing what he called loyalties of all citizens he insisted that the state must assure a composite nation. We cannot last as states unless equal respect is given to all citizens and much depends on what internal constitution you will give for all to feel equal citizens.

Striking poignancy Aiyar added, "If that is done, there is no need for India to guarantee Sri Lanka's unity and territorial integrity. You yourselves will guarantee that."

Responding to an audience question Aiyar said: "The British divided us because we left room for division. There is a civilisational genius in each of our societies and there is a great need to draw from ancient wisdom," he added.

He also recalled the creation of S. J. V. Chelvanayagam's Thamil Arasu Kachchi which when translated into English went as Tamil Lankan Tamil Rule Party. However in English it was called the Federal Party. This goes to show the assertion of Tamil nationhood within a federal state to maintain Sri Lanka's unity.

Reflecting on all of Aiyar's thoughts one begins to wonder... Can we take a lesson from the cultural mix of the ancient past going beyond 5,000 years and attempt its re-awakening today?