Cultural and Religious pluralism: the muslim minority in the Indian democracy. East-West comparision(18-20 October 2010, New Delhi)

The conference focuses on multiculturalism and the relation between majorities and minorities within a State. More theoretical discussions on the economic and political aspects of the multicultural challenge in liberal states will be presented together with more empirical issues such as: how to reconcile dress code and religious symbols in social life, the role of media, and gender issues.

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CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PLURALISM: THE MUSLIM MINORITY IN THE INDIAN DEMOCRACY. EAST-WEST COMPARISON

INDIA HABITAT CENTER

18 October
DRESS CODE AND RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS IN SOCIAL LIFE

Who's afraid of the veil? For the "laicités" the challenge of inclusion and pluralism. The Turkish and the French cases.

Nilüfer Göle; chair Malvika Singh

General overview on minorities and religious symbols in India
MJ Akbar

THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN MINORITY /MAJORITY RELATIONS

Round Table: When the Fear of Diversity boosts the Audience: How Media can Increase (In)Security

Jörg Lau, Shoma Chaudhury, Giancarlo Bosetti, Krishna Prasad, Srinivasan Jain, Pankaj Pachauri

Chair Roberto Toscano

19 October

REALIGNING LIBERALISM: THE CHALLENGE OF PLURALISM

Religion and Politics in an Interdependent World
Benjamin Barber, chair Giancarlo Bosetti

Comparing Secularism in India, the EU and the US
Rajeev Bhargava

Liberal State, Multiculturalism and Muslim minority: India and Europe Compared
Anwar Alam, Stefano Allievi

CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES AND THEIR IMPACT ON SOCIAL INEQUALITIES

Sachar Report, Political Parties and Discourse on Indian Inequalities
Mujibur Rehman, chair Raj Liberhan

The Religious Divide in the Indian Society
Madhu Kishwar

Round Table: Relations between Social Issues and Inequalities
Roberto Toscano, Ramin Jahanbegloo, Dipankar Gupta, Asaf Savas Akat

20 October
Najeeb Jung

GENDER ISSUES

Round Table: The State of Women Movements in Indian and Western Societies
Nina zu Fürstenberg, Ruchira Gupta, Farah Naqvi, Mariella Gramaglia, Nilüfer Göle
Chair Giovanna Melandri


THE TASKS OF POLITICS IN MANAGING MIGRATION AND FEAR

Comparison of Minority Rights in India: Christians, Muslims and Buddhists
Mushirul Hasan, chair Tejbir Singh

Round Table: Secularism & Traditions, Toleration & Cohesion in different contexts
Roberto Toscano, Ramin Jahanbegloo, Dipankar Gupta, Giovanna Melandri

Closing Remarks of the direction of ResetDoc. Future Projects of East-West Dialogue