Organising Seminars, Workshops, Conventions to Generate Intellectual Debate at the National and State Level
In order to stimulate intellectual debate as well as to respond to the major issues concerning the country Anhad regularly organises seminars, workshops and conventions. Intellectuals, activists, members of the civil society, young students and youth from all over the country are invited to these programmes. Approximately 100 seminars, conventions have been organised by Anhad over the last 16 years across the country. Intellectuals, activists, artists and ordinary citizens from all over the country are invited to these seminars. Anhad has always believed that all its activities should be guided by a well thought of and intellectually sound strategies, therefore we lay special emphasis on such debates. Many a times when there has been an atmosphere of fear in the country Anhad has been the first voice to speak up and not only speak up but provide a platform to people from across India to resist and raise voices of dissent.
India Unites Convention on Non Violence and Harmony
January 30, 2019 – Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day
India Unites for Non – Violence and Harmony Campaign & Convention was organized from January 23- 30, 2019 to commemorate the 71st anniversary of Gandhiji’s martyrdom. Various civil society organizations, academics and activists came together on the anniversary of Gandhiji’s martyrdom to appeal to the nation to resist and confront the growing culture of violence facing the country.
Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead on January 30, 1948 at 17:17 hours as he headed towards a multi-faith prayer meeting. He was assassinated by fundamentalist forces opposed to his idea of Swaraj promoting nation-building on the principles of equality of all citizens, Hindu -Muslim unity and communal harmony. Gandhi’s Swaraj focussed on the composite nature of Indian nationalism.
Under Gandhi’s leadership, the freedom movement successfully mobilized and drew people into the struggle for independence against colonial rule: men and women, people from all faiths, regions, speaking different languages, having varied castes, traditions, customs, cultures, beliefs and inhabitants of both rural and urban areas. He dreamt of an India where people lived together and respected each other’s differences; where interactions, protest and negotiations would be shaped by the principle of non-violence/ahimsa.
Today, 70 years after independence, we are witnessing a rise in hatred and prejudices based on religion, caste, gender, sexuality, region and class. Society is becoming increasingly intolerant and violent. Communal violence, caste based violence and hate crimes are on the upsurge. As citizens we can no longer be silent spectators to this growing ill will, hatred and violence. We must come together to protect the secular, pluralistic and democratic fibre of the country. We organised India Unites Convention on Non Violence and Harmony at Sophia Bhabha Auditorium on January 30, 2019 from 4pm -10pm in Mumbai to commemorate the 71st anniversary of Gandhiji’s martrydom:
Speakers included: Antara Dev Sen ( journalist, editor Little Magazine), Justice Chelameswar (retd Supreme Court Judge), Javed Akhtar (poet, lyricist & screenwriter), Kawalpreet Kaur (student leader), Admiral L Ramdas (former Chief of the Naval Staff), Meeran Chadha Borwankar ( former Inspector General (Prisons), Maharashtra), Nayantara Seghal (writer), Pradnya Daya Pawar (Marathi poet & fiction writer). The convention was followed by a cultural programme on the theme. Performances were done by Dolly Thakore (theatre actress), Gauhar Raza (poet & scientist), Imaad Shah (actor & musician), Mannu Kohli (singer), Purva Naresh (playwright & dancer) and Vasu Primlani ( stand-up comedian) . It was jointly organized by Anhad (New Delhi), CPD (Mumbai), CSSS (Mumbai), India Inclusive (New Delhi), PUCL- Maharashtra, ICWM-Mumbai, Sadbhavna Sangh, YWCA of Bombay. The convention was preceded by a campaign in 22 Mumbai colleges .