Governor N.N. Vohra, chaired a lecture on “Gandhi and Social Pluralism in South Asia”, delivered by Prof. Ramachandra Guha, an eminent historian and social scientist, at University of Kashmir, here today. This lecture is among the series of guest lectures being organized by UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of Kashmir Studies (UMIKS).Thanking Prof. Guha for visiting the University and delivering a meaningful lecture on an extremely relevant theme, the Governor observed that, considering the prevailing world environment, it is of vital importance that governments and societies must conscientiously work towards implementing pluralistic policies. This is essential also for establishing a sustained peaceful environment in the South Asia.
Earlier, Prof. Guha, brought out how Gandhi’s experiences and encounters with people of diverse religions in South Africa had led to his evolving a deep understanding of diversity and recognizing that pluralistic policies were imperative for laying the basis of the struggle for attaining freedom from the foreign yoke and establishing Indian nationhood. He defined Diversity as a “social condition” and Pluralism as a “political programme”.Prof. Guha’s lecture was followed by an interesting discussion session.The welcome address and the vote of thanks were presented by Prof. Gull Wani, Director UMIKS and Dr. Humaira Showkat, Research Fellow, UMIKS.Among those present were a large gathering of students, Kashmir University’s faculty and prominent citizens.