Challenges to pluralism in South Asia

Friday, 3 January 2014 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The lack of pluralism in the different facets of a country has impeded the progress of many developing nations. The people and places that have overcome their differences are seeing the most progress to date and stand in the vanguard of development of their communities and nations. The South Asia Policy and Research Institute (SAPRI), which aims to highlight and address the issues in the region is bringing together an international panel of four eminent persons to discuss the ‘Challenges to Pluralism in South Asia’. The colloquium to be held on 7 January at the BMICH from 3 to 6 p.m. will see Prof. Rajeev Bhargava from India and Prof. Radhika Coomaraswamy discuss Religion and Politics in South Asia, while Dr. Christophe Jaffrelot from France and Asma Jahangir from Pakistan will discuss Secularism on Trial in South Asia. Prof. Bhargava is a renowned political theorist from the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi with work in multiculturalism, identity politics and secularism. Asma Jahangir is a leading lawyer and activist who has spent her career defending human and women’s rights and those of religious minorities and children. Dr. Jaffrelot is a French political scientist specialising in South Asia. Sri Lanka’s own Dr. Coomaraswamy is an internationally known human rights advocate who has held vital positions in the UN relating to children in armed conflict and violence against women. The event is open to the public on registration with the SAPRI office which can be contacted on 0112 576 666, 0112 576 555 or email [email protected].