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The question is whether we will remain passive onlookers or take
steps to ensure harmony and progress among the people. Given the present situation of uncertainty and insecurity, if
serious attempts are not made to counter the campaign of communal
hatred, the very unity, integrity and progress of the country is at
stake. One has to adopt a multidimensional approach to combat the
communal menace. While it is necessary to fight it politically and
through an intensive campaign, it is also necessary to undertake
serious research about various controversies generated by communal
forces. It is therefore necessary to undertake serious academic
studies and link-up with activists engaged in countering the
communal campaign. It was this concern over growing communalism and the need for
redefining the concept of secularism for a cohesive society that
mobilized a group of eminent academics, social activists and
prominent citizens to set up the Centre for Study and Society and
Secularism.
The first consultation-cum-planning session was organized by the
Centre in May 1993 with noted academics, social activists and other
concerned people from all over the country that gave the Centre its
present shape and contents.
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To spread the spirit of Secularism and communal harmony and
social peace
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To study problems relating to Communalism and Secularism
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To organize inter-faith and ethnic dialogue and justice
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To undertake study-research projects in the field of
religious, communal and ethnic conflicts and comparative
religions.
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To organize lectures seminars, workshops and symposia on
communal problems.
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To organize Inter-faith discussions.
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To conduct training programmes.
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To prepare community based mass awareness programmes through
Street Plays, Youth Camps and propaganda materials like pamphlets
booklets, posters.
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To publish books, booklets and research materials.
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To network with other organizations.
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To expand the library and documentation facilities.
In a short period of time, from May 1993 onwards the Centre has
carried out the following multifarious activities:
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All India level and state level seminars have been organized by
the centre. Some of them are:
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All India Seminar on Mahatma Gandhi and Communal Harmony -
Delhi - organized to commemorate 125th birth anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi.
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Shiv Sena-BJP Government and Its Implications for the
Minorities in Bombay.
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Communalism and Communal Violence in Ahmedabad. Papers
analyzing the genesis of communalism in Gujarat were presented.
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The Uniform Civil Code, Personal Law and Gender Justice -
Bombay.
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In its quest to shape public opinion conducive to communal
harmony, the Centre has organized several workshops in communally
sensitive areas.
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The Centre has conducted youth camps to instill in young minds
ideas pertaining to communal harmony and secularism.
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Research is conducted by the Centre to
analyze the multifarious
problems of communalism facing the society. Some of the research
projects undertaken are:
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Study on the Socio - Economic Background of the Bombay Riots
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Study on Gandhi and communal Harmony.
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Study of Students and Communalism
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Study of Post Independence Riots in India
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Study on the Police and the Minority in Mumbai
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Study on Teachers and Secularism
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Communal Riots in Post Independence
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Crime and Muslims
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Field investigations are undertaken by the Centre with an
objective of presenting a clear and unbiased view of communally
charged situations.
Some of such investigations conducted are:
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Impact of Communal Riots on Women.
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Impact of Communal Riots on Industrial Workers.
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Investigations of Communal Riots in Surat, Bangalore, Hubli,
Moradabad, Coimbatore and Aligarh.
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Immigrants in Bombay : A Fact Finding Report.
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The findings of some of these studies have been published in
leading newspapers like The Times of India,
The Indian Express, The Hindu
etc.
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Indian Journal of Secularism
A quarterly
journal is published by the Centre. Each issue contains a wide
range of articles, research papers with focus on secular and
communal problems from the historical, political economic,
cultural and sociological perspectives.
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Secular Perspective - Fortnightly
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In an endeavour to disseminate information, documentation is
undertaken by Research Fellows. Elections, Communalism, Bomb
Blasts and secularism are some topics on which documentation is
undertaken. Reference and Library facilities are provide to
scholars, journalists and students.
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The street play is an effective device which stimulates
interest in the public mind and appeals to their emotions. It
serves the purpose of educating the masses and creates an
awareness among them.
The Centre has organized street plays in the slums of Mumbai to
generate an awareness regarding the perils of communalism.
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Organizing series of training camps for activists, teachers,
trade unionists, Dalits, feminists and other groups at the all
India level.
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Organizing zonal seminars on communalism, communal violence
and ethnic strife in highly sensitive areas.
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Hooking up computer facilities with Internet for having
worldwide access to information on religious and ethnic problems.
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Organizing workshops on ethnic and communal violence in South
Asia.
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Undertaking studies at the micro and macro levels on the
genesis of the causes of sectarian conflicts and various
controversial issues arising from time to time.
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Appointing well-qualified and experienced staff to undertake
activities for the Centre to promote communal harmony among the
slum and pavement dwellers - the most vulnerable section of our
society.
By seeking to bring along these ideals into reality the Centre
for Study of Society and Secularism works towards promoting communal
harmony arid containing the communal menace that has already if we
succeed, taken deep seated roots in our society. Then every day
would dawn with new hopes instead of fears.
"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held' high......
Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake." -
Rabindranath Tagore
In order to meet its goals, the Centre plans to supplement its
existing staff with a well-qualified and experienced faculty from
inter-disciplinary backgrounds to undertake various
activities.
Various noted people from inter-disciplinary backgrounds form the
Advisory Board who ensure that the quality of the Center's
programmes are not compromised.
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Prof. S. Gopal (Historian)
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Prof. K.N. Panikkar (Historian)
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Prof. Ram Bapat (Political Scientist)
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Vinod Mubayi (Physicist)
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Prof.D.N.Dhanagare (Sociologist Vice - Chancellor Shivaji
University)
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Ms. Shabana Azmi (Actress/Social Activist/Theatre Artist/M.
P.)
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Prof. Imtiaz Ahmed - (Anthropologist)
The Centre solicits donations (eligible for deduction under 80-G
of I.T. Act) for the noble cause it promotes. Cheques may be drawn
in favour of Centre for Study of Society and Secularism.
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