India and the Rise of Islamophobia: Why and Why now?

21 Nov 2022

pittadmin

Announced by the University of Pittsburgh:

Since the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in India, anti-Muslim rhetoric and discriminatory measures have been increasing, even more so as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Islamophobia has reached an unprecedented peak, with Muslims increasingly subject to hate speech, racist attacks, and violence. The Hindu nationalism driving these developments has complex historical roots. In her recent book, We God’s People: Christianity, Islam and Hinduism in the World of Nations (2021), Berkley Center Senior Fellow Jocelyne Cesari argues that Indian national identity is shaped by the nexus of secularism, communalism, and Hinduism.

This online event will address the particular characteristics of Indian Islamophobia through an examination of the past, present and future dynamics of Indian nationalism and secularism. Jocelyne Cesari will engage in conversation with Kalpana Jain, senior journalist and senior ethics and religion editor at The Conversation US.

Event Date: 
Monday, November 21, 2022 - 11:30am to 12:30pm
Institution(s): 
Sponsored By: 
Georgetown University Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs
Location: 
Virtual