The Department of Kannada, St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru has organised a State Level Seminar on “Bhaarateeya Secularvaada mattu Kannadada Prathikriye” (Indian Secularism and Kannada Response) on 23 July 2018 at Fr. Eric Mathias Hall of the College. Gandhian Thinker and the proponent of Grama Swarajya, Sri Prasanna Heggodu inaugurated the seminar. The Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Rev. Fr. Dionysius Vaz SJ presided over the programme. Prinipal, Rev. Dr. Praveen Martis SJ was the guest of honour.

The modern concept of “Secularism” is facing many challenges and distress in the Indian cultural context today. Hence, debate about the secularist theoretical political concepts is more relevant than ever before. The aim of the seminar is to discuss the perspectives of secularism in Gandhi, Ambedkar and Lohiya along with Ananthamoorthy, Lankesh and Devanur’s ideas of secularism in the context of Kannada. During the seminar, the resource persons discussed on the theme - a vision for India based on secular and democratic values.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Prasanna Heggodu explained the meaning of secularism. He said that there various perceptions of secularism in the Indian context. The Western concept of secularism has been repeatedly questioned and debated in the current Indian cultural context. Even though we have attempted to redefine the concept for the past two decades, somehow the emerging new perceptions have made sections of people live with insecurity and anxiety. This is due to the mechanical and technicist approach to life that is rampant today. We need to live within the framework of morality, but we live in a context of communal violence and mutual suspicion. This argument perceives life as a marketplace which includes Indian cultural forms such as dance, music, human relationships, etc. We seemed to have forgotten the wealth of India of its 19th & 20th Centuries, he added.

Rector Fr. Dionysius Vaz in his presidential remarks, stated that Indian culture is a unique culture that respects all cultures and honours their religious rituals. We must develop humanity. He also said that one must have self-knowledge, scientific knowledge and knowledge of the society. We should study the base of other’s culture. Culture is larger than religion, hence we should try to develop an inclusive culture in a vastly multicultural society like India, he added.

Principal, Rev. Dr Praveen Martis began his speech by quoting Basavanna’s Vachana. He elaborated on the idea of Secularism and its philosophical context in the Indian political scenario. He expressed his concern on the way the emerging concept of secularism has expressed itself in the contemporary Indian context.

There were 2 sessions during the seminar. Prof. Nithyananda B. Shetty, Director, DVG Kannada Adhyayana Kendra, Tumkur University, Prof. Rajaram Tholpady, Professor of Political Science, Mangalore University, Prof. Ivan Francis Lobo, Dept. of Political Science, Government First Grade College for Women, Puttur, Prof. Rajendra Chenny, Retd. Professor of Kuvempu University, Sri G. Rajasekhar, Social Activist and writer, Udupi and Prof. B. Shivaram Shetty, SVP Kannada Adhyayana Kendra, Mangalore University were the resource persons. Professors from four different Universities and professors from 15 different colleges took part in this seminar. Around 300 students from different colleges participated.

The HOD of Kannada, Dr. Saraswathi Kumar K. was present on the dais. Chinmayee and group rendered Prayer Service. Programme Co-ordinator, Dr. Dinesh Nayak compered the programme. Shruthi Amin rendered the vote of thanks.