Discussions on Mahatma Gandhi & the Differential Responses to Religious Belonging in India at SAC
Discussions on Mahatma Gandhi & the Differential Responses to Religious Belonging in India at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru
Mangaluru : October 2, 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian activist who led the country’s movement for independence against British colonial rule using methods of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. He was so inspirational and crucial to India’s development as a free nation that his birthday is now of one of three national holidays, the festival of Gandhi Jayanti. Mahatma Gandhi was an exceptional leader and human being. He has influenced and inspired both individuals and world leaders in the fight against inequality and oppression, and has provided an invaluable contribution to peaceful freedom struggles across the world.
Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle was first and foremost for the freedom and independence of the people of India. But his message was also one of universal relevance. His voice for humanity, equality, justice and non-violence gained global recognition. In 2007, Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, the 2nd of October, was declared by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence, and is today celebrated all over the globe. Despite grand thoughts, his was a life of austerity, tolerance, courage and struggle. A person who stood up for what he believed in and who lived as he preached. He was known for his devout Hindu faith, but he advocated respect and appreciation for all faiths. He believed in, and argued for, the essential unity of all peoples and all religions. He made powerful efforts to unite people across ethnic and religious lines.
The Department of Political Science of St Aloysius College (Autonomous)-Mangaluru organized a panel Discussion on “Mahatma Gandhi and the Differential Responses to Religious Belonging in India” on Thursday, 1 August 2019 at Sanidhya Hall. The Chief Keynote Speaker was Rev Dr Joachim Andrade SVD-the Professor at Pontifical Catholic University of Parana-Brazil; joined by two Eminent Panelists- Prof Valerian Rodrigues-Former Professor of Political Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University -New Delhi; and Prof. Rajaram Tolpadi-Former Professor of Political Science at Mangalore University. Joined on the dais were -Fr Dionysius Vas SJ-Rector of St Aloysius Institutions; Fr Praveen Martis SJ-Principal of St Aloysius College; and Dr Rose Veera D’souza- HoD of Political science at SAC.
As a “Gratitude to Social Scientists”, who made a difference to Mangaluru-felicitations were done to Rev Dr Joachim Andrade, Prof Valerian Rodrigues, and Prof Rajaram Tolpadi by Rector Fr Dionysius Vas SJ, Fr Praveen Martis SJ and Fr Leo D’souza SJ-the former Rector. Rev Dr Andrade speaking on “The Role of Geography in Constructing Religion” gave elaborate talk on General View of Geography, General Viwe of Religion, Influence of Geography,a nd Construction of Social Knowledge. He said, “Judaism, Christianity and Islam religion focus on learning-God calls and someone listens. Spirituality is based on the one who talks and one who listens-Word of God. In Hinduism the focus is on seeing-seeing the deity and seen by the deity-‘Drasan Dena e Darsan Lena’! Indians have always looked for diversity in religion”
Traditionally, the relationship between geography and religion can clearly be seen by the influences of religion in shaping cosmological understandings of the world. From the sixteenth and seventeenth century, the study of geography and religion mainly focused on mapping the spread of Christianity (termed ecclesiastical geography by Issac 1965), though in the later half of the seventeenth century, the influences and spread of other religions were also taken into account.
Other traditional approaches to the study of the relationship between geography and religion involved the theological explorations of the workings of Nature – a highly environmentally deterministic approach which identified the role of geographical environments in determining the nature and evolution of different religious traditions. Thus, geographers are less concerned about religion per se, but are more sensitive to how religion as a cultural feature affects social, cultural, political and environmental systems. The point of focus is not the specifics of religious beliefs and practices, but how these religious beliefs and practices are internalized by adherents, and how these processes of internalization influence, and is influenced by, social systems.
During the panel discussion on Mahatma Gandhi, Religion and Politics, student Panelists spoke on various topics, like- “Mahatma Gandhi on Means and Ends”by Abner Pinto-II B Com; “Religious Minorities and Mahatma Gandhi” by Shahina Naz-III BA; “Bhagavad Gita and Mahatma Gandhi’s Sense of Inwardness”by Namitha- III BA; and “Mahatma Gandhi on Hinduism” by Melintha Correa-II BA- and the compering for the Student Panel Discussion session was done by Riya Monteiro-II BA. Eminent Panelist Prof Valerian Rodrigues spoke on “Significance of the Pre-Political in Mahatma Gandhi”; and eminent panelist Prof Rajaram Tolpadi spoke on “Mahatma Gandhi on Religion and Politics”.
Rector Fr Dionysius Vas SJ addressing the audience said, “Mahatma Gandhi always fascinates me, because of His teachings and ideals. Sadly in Mangaluru we see Communal Harmony and darkness, and we need to fight against these two evils, because Gandhi promoted non-violence and love towards the poor. He was against hate and discrimination, and he always stood for humanity. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi where he said, “I believe in the fundamental truth of all great religions of the world.”, there are two things we should follow- Religion and Spirituality, but Spirituality is much deeper than Religion. Therefore we need to concentrate on Spirituality, since it’s a vision and way of life”.
The citation during the felicitations on the Keynote speaker and two panelists was read by Dr Joyce Lobo-Lecturer in Political Science, the welcome address was delivered by Dr Rose Veera D’souza, Vote of Thanks was proposed by Ms Maria Sheela D’souza- lecturer in Political Science, and the formal programme was compered by Keerthana Manikosh- II year Political Science student. The Panel Discussion ended with an interaction between the students and eminent panelists.
In conclusion, in my perspective, Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of an independent India based on religious pluralism was initially challenged by separatist forces based on religion, eventually leading to the partition of India, at a great human cost. Today, Gandhi’s vision of an inclusive, secular India continues to be challenged, despite India’s fundamentally multi-religious fabric. In this time of uncertainty and disruption, the celebration of Gandhi’s birthday is a reminder of the continued relevance of his teachings and of their out most importance all over the world.
We live in a time not only of uncertainty and disruption, but also a time where a more aggressive and polarizing political rhetoric seems to be gaining ground. Let us therefore remind ourselves of what Gandhi not only said, but also did. I quote; “In a gentle way, you can shake the world”. Gandhi’s teachings also remind us that change often begins at the individual level, and that we all, as human beings, have the capability to change the world through peaceful activism. Today, we are celebrating a remarkable man, who’s achievements should continue to inspire us, both as leaders and individuals. Allow me to congratulate Dr Rose Veera D’souza and her energetic Team from Political Science Dept for organizing this Panel Discussion prior to the 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma Gandhi, to be celebrated on 2 October 2019.
