This seminar took place on 5th Jan, 2003 at the A.V.College hall and was well attended. It was chaired by D.L.Sheth. Javeed Alam gave the opening remarks.

JAVEED ALAM mentioned that the world was undergoing a very tense period. All over the world ethnic and religious reasons and increasing the tensions that common people have to suffer from. In the western world tension are being equated with Islam, especially after Sep 11,2001. There is polarization taking place along religious lines elsewhere. There is evidence of violence increasing in many countries which is targeted against Muslims, Christians and the like. The events of Gujarat last year have given further evidence that communalism is developing as a dominant power.

He made an interesting analysis suggesting that the BJP which may be in power at the Centre, doesn't in actuality control State power. It's influence lies largely in the fact that it has appropriated the social and the political space by its manipulative handling of religion. Every institution today – be it the Election Commission, Judiciary – is under threat from the BJP and its parivar organizations. He said the BJP represents fascist power. The more power it gains the more would it be associated with growing brutality and violence.

The schema of recrudescence of fundamentalism both in the international level and in India is linked with Globalisation. Globalisation may be called the new imperialist plunder of the economies and societies of the Third world.

These two trends, viz., of religious fundamentalism and globalization are posing serious challenges of Democracy. Democracy is now raising new issues of, centrality of the state in the changing world, gender issues, humanist secularism etc. Questions of ideological element, plurality are important, in this new context.

Participants

Rakesh Bhatt

Sardar Ali Khan

Fatima Shahnaz

Haji Abdul Sattar Ansari

Tahseem Mohamed

For Hindi click here

Copyleft. Any part of the content on this site can be used, reproduced, or distributed freely by anyone, anywhere and by any means. Acknowledgement is appreciated.

Designed and maintained by CAPITAL Creations, New Delhi. Phone 91-11-26194291