Minkeng (Lùhng) In what was once the peaceful state of Arunachal, the land where the sun first smiles, there has been a systematic attempt, by certain fringe elements to divide the Tani Community- be it creating hatred among Nyisis, Galos, Tagins or Adis, but also creating an atmosphere of hatred based on religiouns. This is …
The Marginalisation of the Katkari Tribals
A Study of Water Scarcity and Caste Discrimination in Panvel Subdistrict, Maharashtra Anil Sardar Abstract This paper extensively examines the marginalisation of the Katkari tribals of India, who are one of the most vulnerable indigenous communities in terms of accessing basic necessities such as water, livelihood, education and healthcare in the tribal areas of the …
Words Of The Ordained Women
Dr Amritpal Kaur ‘What becometh a woman best, and first of all? SILENCE. What second? SILENCE. What third? SILENCE. What fourth? SILENCE. Yea, if a man should aske me till Domes daie I would still crie Silence, Silence… ‘ – Thomas Wilson, The Arte of Rhetorique, 1560. Women have long been expected to govern their …
Sanghi agenda: Religious polarisation among Adivasi communities
Chhotelal Kumar The Adivasi is frequently mistaken as a “noble savage” who leads a primitive lifestyle. His social and cultural traditions are perceived as unsophisticated and based on superstitions. In central India, tribals have their own religions, the most notable of which is Sarna, followed by Adivasis of Chotanagpur, and Koyapun, followed by Gonds …
Religion and other aspects of Feminism
Mook Nayak 2.0 Preliminary Observations A lot of debates are going on about Feminism, its origin and its ideals etc. It is said that the main objective of feminism is to promote equality between the sexes. For a moment, let’s leave the counter arguments made on feminism (1) and look at one profound link which …
Why Being Critical Towards Holy Scriptures or Religious Beliefs Is Important?
Abhishek Bhagat Religion is a core part of human life. It is belief system which governs human behavior. There are many religions like Christianity, Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism, etc. Many principles are common among them but there are fundamental philosophical differences too. The common bit certainly consists of different religionists’ insistence on …
Savarna Christian contributions to ‘Hindu’ Nationalism: The example of Srambickal Kuruvilla George
Nidhin Shobhana (Paper presented at the India International Islamic Academic Conference held on 8-9 October, 2016, at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi.) Abstract: By late 19th century and early 20th century, one finds the emergence of an ‘upper-caste’ Christian public sphere comprised of theologians who identified themselves with the values of ‘Hindu’ and ‘Hindu Nationalism’. …
Making Stars on the Shore: Ramblings on Caste, Religion
Carmel Christy The Christmas star was hung on top of the mango tree in front of Metilda’s house. It was made of white paper and nine edges of narrow plywood pieces carved from bamboo trees, pasted together by a mix of maida flour boiled in water. Manuel, Metilda’s father worked on the star everyday after …
Political Economy of Ghar Wapsi: A perspective from below
Nikhil Walde After its electoral victory, BJP’s entire politics revolves around the Hindu religion which has brought about a dismal political scenario in India. The state seems to be departing from constitutional democracy- from the modern function of a state to the traditional monocratic form of state. All this is quite evident, for instance, …