Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Seminar on COMMUNALISM

one-day seminar
Growth of Communalism and the Attacks on Minorities
on Saturday, 22 November 2008, from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm

at Pennamma Bhavanam

The seminar situated the issues theologically, in order to discuss the questions regarding Christian witness today. The seminar discussed the historical roots of communalism and its linkages with casteism. The discourse on secularism and religiosity was reexamined to understand the growth of communalism in India. There were presentations on the attacks on dalit and tribal Christians in Orissa and the communal violence in Marad to understand the subtle and complex dynamics of communalism today.

Programme
Session I: Roots of Communalism
9.30 am to 1.00 pm

Chair: Simon John
Introduction and welcome speech: Satyan T.M.
K.K. Koch: Communalism and Casteism: The historical links

Rev. Sunny George: Secularism and Religiosity in India: foundational issues

Session II: Contemporary Forms of Communal Violence
2.30 to 4.30 pm Chair: Sonia George
Welcome Speech: Ms. Jincy Thampikkutty

Rev. Jacob P. Thomas (Ayroor Chayal Mar Thoma Church): Attacks on Dalit and
Tribal Christians in Orissa
Vidhu Vincent (Journalist and activist): Violence in Marad and the growth of communal fascism in Kerala
Rev. P.V. Joseph (Senior Faculty, KCC): Theological Reflections on Communalism
Vote of Thanks: Shiju Sam Varughese


Introduction and Welcome Speech: T.M. Satyan

Sri. Simon John

Sri. K.K. Koch

Rev. Sunny George

Audience


LUNCH TIME

Smt. Jincy P. Thampikkutty
Smt. Sonia George
Rev. Jacob P. Thomas
Smt. Vidhu Vincent

Rev P.V. Joseph

audience