Challenges to Secularism - Upcoming seminar in Delhi (13-14 May 2014)

Dear All

This is to cordially invite you all for a two day National Seminar on 'Challenges to Secularism in India and the Role of Civil Society' to be held in Delhi on 13-14 th May 2014.

The seminar is being organised by CSSS (Centre for Study of Society and Secularism) and PADS (People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism) is assisting them in the process.

Herewith sharing with you the concept note and details of the programme.

Concept Note

Title of the Seminar: Challenges to Secular Democracy in India and the Role of Civil Society
Duration: Two days
Date: 13th and 14th may 2014
Venue: Indian Social Institute, Delhi

Rationale/ Background:

The Indian Constitution through its Preamble and fundamental rights states that India is a secular and democratic country. However after 60 odd years it’s time and again seen that there is a threat to secular democracy in the country. This has been recently manifested in a few disturbing incidents- Penguin pulping book by Wendy Doigner, assault and subsequent death of a youth from the North East, the Muzzafarnagar riots and the still eluding relief and Justice as is evident from the conditions of the relief camps and the violence perpetrated by communal forces with impunity. This as a backdrop, it becomes important to circumspect and analyze the challenges and threats to the secular democracy in the country in the face of prospects of communal forces being voted back to power. This will certainly have an impact on the democratic movements fighting for the rights of women, Adivasis, Dalits and religious minorities. The Bill to prevent communal violence is yet to see the light of the day. Equal Opportunities Commission which is cited in the Sachar Committee report as one of the ways to mitigate discrimination against minorities is a long way away. It becomes an even more uphill task then to push for progressive laws and policies for the development and security of the marginalized groups if a government following communal ideology which seeks to strengthen exiting hierarchies in the society on the lines of caste, gender and religion.

There needs to be a thorough discussion on what constitutes a challenge to secular democracy in the country and the role of civil society organizations to effectively tackle these challenges. Also important are the strategies to lobby with the state for policies benefitting the marginalized groups and seeking accountability. This seminar with around 30 participants will seek to discuss all the above aspects. The participants will consist of academicians and social activists. The participants will be requested to present their views on related topics and urged to write academic papers which will be published.

Some of the suggested topics are as follows:
· Emerging challenges to secular democracy
· Global political-economic factors and their impact on Secular Democratic values
· Social Movements, Communalism and Democratic Space
· Future of secular democracy vis a vis Dalit movement in India
· Future of Secular democracy vis a vis Women’s movement in India
· Secular democracy and the issue of discrimination against religious minorities
· Future of secular democracy and progressive policies and legislations
· Role and strategies of civil society


On 14 th evening Prof Mushirul Hasan will be delivering 1st Asghar Ali Engineer memorial lecture on "Meaning, Metaphor and Martyrdom in Colonial India' which will be chaired by Vinod Mehta.

Venue : 6 p.m., India International Centre, New Delhi

All are cordially invited.

In solidarity
subhash