Author: Zoya Khan, City Law College, Lucknow 

India is one of the largest country in the World. India is surrounded by ocean, seas and water bodies from three sides. The Northern – east part of India is covered by Great Himalayan mountain region. The North -western area of India is surrounded by the land.  This geographical diversity make the India unique therefore; India is considered as a subcontinent in the World as the India have all the geographical and natural resources which is possessed by the Continent. Ordinarily, it does not seem that country would have all the geographical features like land, water bodies, mountains, plains, plateaus altogether. But, fortunately; due to the geographical diversity India possessed the land, water bodies, mountains, plains, plateaus, forest altogether which make the India unique and Subcontinent in the World.

However, India is not only a geographically diverse country but, it is also a culturally rich country. The geographical diversity of India plays a significant role in shaping cultural diversity, influencing the development of unique cultural practices, tradition and identities. India, a land of breath taking diversity, is a home to rich cultural heritage that span over 5000 years. India provide the linguistic habitat to 22 officially recognized language over 1600 dialects, 16,000 ethnic groups, a diverse range of cuisines, music, dance and art form. India has been a melting pot of various cultures, which influences from ancient civilization, colonial powers  and neighboring countries. India is culturally rich country the history created in the land of India, where various rulers came  and rule  along with this, their culture multidise the cultural diversity of India. In order to protect and preserve the cultural diversity and richness of our country, we have to protect and secure our culture. The Government of India, also take various initiative to protect the cultural heritage and cultural diversity which involves National Mission for Manuscript, Rashtriya Sanskrit Mahotsav, Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Site ad Remains Act 1958, The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972 and many more.. These initiative showcase the Government of India’s commitment to protect and promote the  country’s rich cultural heritage and diversity.

THE CULTURAL APPROPRIATION DILEMMA

India is a very diverse country in matter of the culture. In India the cultures changes on every 100 miles. In order to protect and preserve our culture  and cultural diversity, when we begin to exploit the our culture even; we cannot understand or recognise it. The term “Cultural Appropriation” can be understand as the adoption of element of one culture or identity by member of another culture or identity in a manner perceived as inappropriate or unacknowledged. It includes the adoption of certain language, behaviour, clothing, tradition, food; belonging to minority culture or social group by a member of dominant culture in exploitative, disrespectful and stereotype manner. Cultural appropriation has been identified across a range of fields including religion, music, sport, fashion, visual art, films and so many. 

         In present, modern World ; we are adopting the various culture from social media by just following the social media trends blindly without knowing the cultural and  religious significance.

EFFECT OF CULTURAL APPROPRIATION 

The cultural appropriation includes the adoption of other culture in a manner which adversely affect culture of other. They are :-

• Music & Dance :

                   Using traditional or religious music, songs, dance without proper understanding, without knowing the religious significance of that particular song  music, dance which often result into disrespecting particular cultural or religion. 

 • Traditional Clothing & Accessories:

                         Wearing or styling the traditional accessories or cloth as a  fashion without understanding when, how and where the traditional clothes and accessories should be styled. 

• Cultural Symbols and Imagery:

               Using various cultural Symbols and images without permission also leads to the cultural appropriation.

CONSEQUENCES OF CULTURAL APPROPRIATION 

• Erasure :    Appropriation can lead to the erasure of Cultural significance and ownership of borrowed element.

• Exploitation :   Appropriation can result into the exploitation of marginalized cultures for financial gain or social status, perpetuating system of oppression and inequality.

• Cultural Homogenization: Appropriation can contribute to the loss of cultural diversity and leads to the homogeneity of culture. 

        On the Other hand, “Cultural Appreciation” is the process of recognizing, understanding and admiring the cultural practice, tradition and symbols of another culture, with the commitment to respecting and preserving their cultural heritage. Cultural appreciation involve developing a deep understanding and appreciation of another culture, through immense experience, education and dialogue with the goal of promoting cross- cultural  understanding, respect and cooperation.

COMPONENTS OF CULTURAL APPRECIATION

• Respect: Cultural appreciation give the proper respect to the culture of others by understanding its significance and value.

• Collaboration:   Cultural appreciation promote the collaboration between two different cultures to ensure accurate representation and mutual benefit of the two different culture.

• Reciprocity:  Engaging in cultural exchange in a way that benefit both parties and promote mutual understanding.

  BENEFITS OF CULTURAL APPRECIATION 

• Cross- Cultural Understanding: The cultural appreciation promotes the understanding of various culture and their significant values.

• Cultural Preservation:   The cultural appreciation promote the cultural preservation by understanding the different culture by different people and acceptance of extinguishing culture by them. 

• Promoting Diversity and Inclusion:   The cultural appreciation also promote the diversity by protecting the culture. It allows the individual of different community to practice the culture of other which protect the diversity.

CONCLUSION 

    There is very floaty and blurry line between The cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. On the one hand, cultural appreciation is a positive concept which promote the harmony, brotherhood, peace and prosperity. On the Other hand, the cultural appropriation is a negative concept; in which individual of different community adopt the culture of different religion and region without proper care and precaution which can lead to haterate, hate- speech, disrespecting religion and many more.

      The Constitution of India is the “Grand Norm”  which means “the Supreme Law of the Land” which allows the citizen of India to adopt and practice any culture within India.  Constitution of India, provide the Fundamental Right to practices, profess any religion without any interference. The  Constitution of India, also allows to protect, promote and practice culture in India. Constitution of India, provide various provision for preservation of the cultural diversity of India which include the appointment of the special officer for linguistic minorities under Article 350  and the Article 29 of the Constitution of India, provide the right to conserve and protect the language, script and culture as the Fundamental Right.

      However; the Constitution of India, does not allow the individual to disrespect the religion and culture of other community in the name of the cultural appreciation. In fact, the criminal law make those acts as a punishable offence which hurt the religious feelings of anyone or disrespect any religious. The Bharti Nayay Sanhita,2023;   dedicated a whole chapter regarding the offence against the religion i.e.; Chapter 16 ( Section 298 – Section 302) of the Bhartiya Nayaya Sahitya,2023.

         This shows that even the law of the land allows us to adopt the culture of others, but; it does not mean we are free to do whatever we want. There is an emerging need to identify the clear distinction between the cultural appropriation and appreciation. To avoid cultural appropriation and promote appreciation some basic steps can be taken which include educate yourself about the culture which we are adopting and their religious significance, be respectful toward the culture and religion of other, give credit to other for their culture and religious heritage and many more in this way we can marginalize the effect of cultural appropriation and enhance the cultural appreciation.