The Department of International Studies and History, CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) organised on Youth, Democracy and Multiculturalism by Dr Jeevan Kumar on 21st August 2019 at Central Campus.  Before diving into the seminar’s topic of youth, democracy and multiculturalism, Dr. Jeevan Kumar made us aware of our role us Social Science students. He distinguished the role of Humanities and Social Sciences and how widely different they are. He imbibed in us qualities of vision, imagination, empathy, keen observation of the society. These qualities are essential for social science students which makes him or her also ideal to be a civil servant.

Dr. Jeevan Kumar divided his seminar into 5 sections. Multiculturalism was the first section. No society is free of differences. Differences in society is a characteristic of multiculturalism. Cultural differences as wide as in India throws up multiculturalism. This also includes diverse ideas, beliefs and perspectives. This enhances a better society, a much more aware one. Recognizes dignity and importance of cultural distinctiveness. Multiculturalism is also about creating new relationships of citizenship in place of hierarchies. Thus, on the whole bringing out a message to respect multiculturalism, accept it and build a more horizontal level of norms and solidarity of hierarchies.

The second part of the presentation was on India’s Multicultural mosaic.  Multiculturalism is present since the beginning of times. Interpretation of history helps to understand the delicately laid layers of multiculturalism in the society. Wave after wave, ethnically and culturally varied people poured into India and assimilated into the society. India is a culture of cultures and accepting this principle by the society is important. India is also an importer of religion (Islam and Christianity) and exporter of religion (Buddhism). Further, Dr. Kumar spoke about the significant role played by Hinduism in shaping the character which has no dogma, the mixed legacy of Islam and the British colonial rule. All these fabricated the present-day multicultural society of India.

Challenges before India’s multicultural democracy was the third part of the presentation. In recent times, multiculturalism is India has become a battleground. The politics in the country is to be blamed for this. It is India’s liberal- constitutional democracy which is holding together multiculturalism. The leading political parties are trying to make India a monochromatic Hindu nation. They argue that homogeneity is the basis for nationhood – “one nation, one people, one culture”. Opportunistic politics is opening old scars in History and creating a sectarian society.

The main challenges are:
1) Deepening of religious animosities.
2) Exploitation of religion for dubious purposes.
3) Spread of communalism and religion fundamentalism.
4) Challenges posed by modernization, secularization and industrialization of society.
5) Cultural stereotyping of the “other” religion, based on myths, misperceptions and fallacies.
6) Maintenance of entrenched positions with no spirit of give or take.

Responsibilities of Youth in today’s multicultural democracy is the fourth part of the discussion. Dr. Jeevan Kumar laid down the objectives of The National Youth Policy, 2003 and National Youth policy, 2014. He pointed out the differences between both. The main difference is that while the policy of 2003 imbibes aspects of secularism, constitution, social justice; the National youth policy of 2014 lacks those aspects. It ignores the aspects which the youth should have for a multicultural society.

The last part of the presentation was the speaker’s concluding observations. India is not just a culture of democracy but rather a democracy of cultures. The issues in the society today are not just cultural but also socio-economic and political. Multiculturalism is the Indian ethos and is part of India’s DNA. The three and a half millennia of history cannot be undone. Accepting history and the evolution of India’s multicultural society by the people and mainly the youth is necessary. With globalization, the youth of India is looking to the West and imbibing the Western culture, ignoring India’s own heritage. Dr. Kumar ended on a strong note saying that India is a young and an energetic nation and the youth of the nation will not allow “Indian India” to give way to a “Hindu nation”.