Green Tea Morning on India

India is said to be the world largest democracy, known for its vibrant pluralistic society and diversity of cultures, languages, religion as well as for a spirit of non-violence and peace. With a history dating back for centuries, India this year celebrates its 75th independence from colonial rule. India has grown to be the world’s fifth largest economy and second largest consumer market and plays an active role as decision maker in fora like BRICS, QUAD or the G20. For Germany, India has become an interesting bilateral partner for sustainable development partnerships.

In our Green Tea Morning discussion, we take a closer look at the present situation in India: a constantly evolving trend of political nationalism, institutionalized throughout all levels of national and local policy and decision making. The propagation of an excessive religion based socio-cultural agenda dividing communities and instigating violence. An aggressive infrastructure drive throughout the country at high costs for the environment and biodiversity. But most of all a constant shrinking of spaces for civil society activism. Looking at the evolving political and social situation, we ask the question of what remains of India’s pluralistic democratic culture today.

Our guest speakers comprise of Neha Dabhade, Deputy Director of the Centre for the Study of Society and Secularism in Mumbai and Mirza Zulfiqur Rahman, Programme Coordinator and Research Associate, Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Regional Office in New Delhi. The discussion will be moderated by Jost Pachaly, Head of Asia Division, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Berlin. We hope to provide inputs and facilitate a discussion around the core themes of democracy and secularism in present day India.

Important: The Chatham House Rule applies for this event!

Please register for the event here

Contact:

Felix Speidel
Project Officer, Asia Division
speidel@boell.de