The Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion & Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP) National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru is organising a state level Seminar on Religious Minorities and Karnataka Politics: Issues and Challenges for Inclusive Democracy, cosponsored by the Centre for Research in Social Sciences and Education (CERSSE), Jain University, Bengaluru. The Seminar will be conducted at the Seminar Hall, School of Graduate Studies, Jain University, J. C. Road, next to Bangalore Stock Exchange, near Poornima Theatre & Ravindra Kalkshetra, Bengaluru, on Sunday, September 30, 2012. It will begin at 9.30a.m. and close by 7p.m.

The Seminar will consider the status and role of religious minorities with regard to electoral politics, political representation and interface of religion, caste and class in Karnataka. Eminent scholars and leaders will facilitate the discussion with presentations based on hard statistical data.

Please confirm your acceptance of the invitation with a reply to my colleague Dr. Y. Moses, who is coordinating the Seminar. His contact details are as follows: mosesy@hotmail.com Ph:+91 9845152425. A tentative programme schedule will be sent to you as soon as we receive your response.

“Religious Minorities and Karnataka Politics: Issues and Challenges for Inclusive Democracy”

State Level Seminar

Concept Paper

This seminar is conceived in the framework of inclusive policy and will cover some important sub-themes as spelt out below for discussing critical issues and challenges for promoting inclusive democracy in India in general and Karnataka in particular.

The accepted principle of democratic policy is that all of those (and all of the interest groups) who are likely to be affected by the politico-economic and socio-cultural decisions taken by the state ought to participate in such decision making processes. This means that all the socio-cultural and economic groups should be represented in the governance process-be it at the national or state level, or even at the grass root level. In the backdrop of this political imperative, it will not be wrong to argue that all the social groups including the religious minorities should find a place in the governance process which means that they should be adequately represented in the national parliament, state legislature and in the rural and urban government bodies.

On the issue of political representation by the religious minorities, experience has it that whatever degree of access they have had earlier to political bodies is being eroded in recent times. The reasons for such a development are many. But the fact is that the religious minorities in India and more particularly in Karnataka are not being adequately represented in the political decision making bodies. If this trend continues, then it negates the very principle of inclusive democratic policy and creates a situation of political exclusion of the religious minorities. That throws up a challenge to the concerned to sit up and to put in some effort to create adequate space for the minorities in the democratic bodies.

The onus of facilitating better access of minorities to the democratic bodies rests not only with the State but also with the minority community people. If this point is agreed to the question is: What strategies to be evolved and what policy changes be effected by the state. Similarly, on the part of the people of minority communities and their leaders, what strategies and measures are to be evolved and followed such that more and more of their representatives may sit in the parliament and the legislature. As for the State is concerned, it should consider initiating institutional changes like introducing reservation and bringing about electoral reforms. And the community’s effort should cover awareness creation, mobilising human and financial resources for canvassing and for building public opinion, and above all, motivating people to exercise vote and to vote the candidate who can effectively promote and protect the interests of the minority communities.

The paper writers are requested to keep these perspectives in view and draft their papers as far as possible using hard statistical data though use of anecdotal information is not totally unwelcome. The sub themes identified for writing papers on are as follows:

1. Religious Minorities and Politics: The Karnataka Perspective.

2. Karnataka Muslims and their political participation.

3. Karnataka Christians and their political participation.

4. Other Religious Minorities and their political participation.

5. Alliance among religious minorities, OBCs and Dalits for Social and Political Democracy.

While there will be paper presentations on sub-themes from serial number 1 to 4 by experts, it is proposed to organise panel discussions on the last sub theme. For panel decision, it is proposed to invite social and political activists to reflect on the theme of seminar for inclusive social and political democracy which should promote solidarity and fraternity of all the weaker sections.

Tentative Programme Schedule

“Religious Minorities and Karnataka Politics: Issues and Challenges for Inclusive Democracy”

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Venue : Seminar Hall, School of Graduate Studies, Jain University, J. C. Road, Next to Bangalore Stock Exchange, near Poornima Theatre & Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bangalore

Tentative Programme Schedule

09.30a.m Registration

10.00a.m – 10.15a.m Welcome address Prof. S. Japhet

Director, Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSEEIP), National Law School of India University, Bangalore

10.15a.m – 11.15a.m Religious Minorities and Politics: The Karnataka Perspective Prof. Sandeep Shastri,

Pro-Chancellor, Jain University, Director, Centre for Research of Social Sciences and Education, Jain University

Mr. Dinesh Amin Mattu, Assistant Editor, Prajavani & Political Analyst

11.15a.m – 11.45a.m Open Discussion Discussant:

Prof. Ravindra Reshme, Political Analyst

11.45a.m – 12 :00p.m Tea Break

12.00p.m. – 12.30p.m Karnataka Muslims and Politics Prof. Abdul Aziz, Eminent Economist and Visiting Professor, Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSEEIP), National Law School of India University

12.30p.m. -01.15p.m Open Discussion Discussants:

Prof. Muzaffar Assadi, Political Scientist, Mysore University

Mr. Qazi Arshad Ali, Former Member of Karnataka Legislative Council

01.15p.m. – 02.00p.m Lunch

02.00p.m. – 02.30p.m Karnataka Christians and Politics Prof. Valerian Rodrigues, Political Scientist, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi

02.30p.m. – 03.15p.m Open Discussion Discussant :

J. Alexander, I.A.S. (Rtd), Former Minister & Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka

03.15p.m – 04.00p.m Jains& Other Minorities and Karnataka Politics Mr. M.I. Arun , Advocate, High Court, Karnataka

04.00p.m – 04.30p.m Open Discussion Discussants

04.30p.m. – 04.45p.m Tea Break

04.45p.m – 05.45p.m Alliance of Dalits, Minorities and Backward Classes Mr. Mavalli Shankar, State leader, Dalit Sangarsh Samiti (DSS),

Ms. Banu Mustaq, Advocate

Dr. Banjagere Jayaprakash, Political Analyst

05.45p.m – 06.15p.m Open Discussion Moderator:

Dr. Vasu, Eminent Historian, Bangalore University

06.15p.m – 06.45p.m Concluding Session Prof. Abdul Aziz, Prof. Valerian Rodrigues & Prof. Sandeep Shastri

06.45 – 07.00p.m Vote of Thanks Dr. Y. Moses, Researcher, CSSEIP, NLSIU