On Friday, January 3, 2025, Lord Bhikhu Parekh delivered an insightful lecture on "The Specialty of Indian Multiculturalism" at the Centre for Contemporary Theory in Vadodara. The session drew a diverse audience of scholars, students, and enthusiasts.
Renowned globally for his expertise in multiculturalism and cultural pluralism, Lord Parekh offered invaluable perspectives on the topic. For many, it was a rare opportunity to engage with his profound ideas. I had the privilege of attending this intellectual gathering, thanks to the kind invitation extended by Dr Jayshreeben Mehta. The event was expertly organized and moderated by Professor Lajwanti Chatani, General Secretary of the Centre for Contemporary Theory and Professor at the Department of Political Science, MS University.
India's history, stretching across thousands of years, reveals that the ideal of "unity in diversity" has endured through countless conflicts, disputes, and challenges. Followers of various religions—Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and others—have collectively fostered a rich tradition of multiculturalism. Efforts to ensure the coexistence of different religions, languages, and minorities have been ongoing in India. The last great supporter of this spirit was Mahatma Gandhi, who made immense sacrifices for communal harmony. Yet, despite his efforts, communal discord persists to this day.
On one hand, various religious, linguistic, and ethnic groups actively engage in movements to preserve their unique identities. The challenge arises, however, when reconciling the demands of these diverse groups with the need to maintain the nation’s integrity. For the country to function effectively, there must be law and order. While multiculturalism can serve as a political philosophy, its practical application often proves difficult and, in some cases, may not be entirely feasible. Without careful management, it could lead to chaos and confusion.
In his speech, Lord Parekh highlighted that, in response to colonial-era racist laws in Britain, the Labour Party established the ‘Commission for the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain’ upon coming to power. Founded in 1998, Professor Parekh was appointed its first chairman. After conducting extensive research, he published the influential "Parekh Report" in 2000, which gained global recognition. This report served as a wake-up call for Britain, helping the country make significant strides in reducing racism, violence, and discrimination. Despite these advancements, fragments of these issues still persist today.
Lord Parekh emphasized the importance of fostering economic, social, educational, and cultural unity for all citizens, advocating for the development of a "Pluralistic Human Rights Culture." He stressed the need for political and civic participation by all citizens, highlighting that the concept of "my religion" or "your religion" should not be part of this discourse.
According to Lord Parekh, multiculturalism refers to the coexistence of diverse religions, castes, languages, communities, and beliefs within a larger society. In contrast, cultural pluralism involves reconciling the differences of minority groups to forge a collective cultural identity while simultaneously engaging in the nation-building activities of the broader society.
Lord Bhikhubhai’s vision on multiculturalism and cultural pluralism can be summarized as "The only way to exist is to coexist." After his lecture, an engaging question-and-answer session followed, with participants showing great interest. Lord Parekh’s humble and approachable nature led to a long line of people eager to meet and converse with him.
Heartfelt congratulations to Lord Parekh on his 90th birthday!
Lord Parekh’s extraordinary nine-decade journey, celebrated on January 4, serves as an inspiration to all. We pray that he continues to be blessed with good health and a long life, and that the community continues to benefit from his invaluable wisdom. By good fortune, I had the privilege of attending a dinner at Lord Parekh’s residence on January 5, where the esteemed Gujarati literary figure Dr Sitanshu Yashchandra Mehta was also present, along with Dr Jayshreeben Mehta. Engaging with scholars during this occasion was an unforgettable experience.
Lord Parekh’s name is globally respected as a distinguished thinker, scholar, and author. For the people of the UK, it is a source of immense pride. Professor Parekh is an Emeritus Professor. Even after retiring from his professional career as a professor at Hull and Westminster Universities in the UK, he remains widely recognized as a successful academic, evidenced by the permanent title bestowed upon him.
He served as a centenary Professor at the London School of Economics and as a visiting professor at McGill University in Canada, Harvard University, and the University of Pennsylvania in the US, and the Institute of Advanced Studies in Vienna, among others. Additionally, he held the position of Vice Chancellor at MS University in Vadodara. We are all aware of his distinguished 25-year service as a Lord in our esteemed assembly.
He is the author of several books on political philosophy, including Ethnocentric Political Theory: The Pursuit of Flawed Universals (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019), Debating India (OUP, 2015), A New Politics of Identity (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008), Rethinking Multiculturalism (Harvard University Press, 2000), and Gandhi (Sterling, 1997), among others.
He has received the Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize for Lifetime Contribution in Political Philosophy, the BBC Special Lifetime Achievement Award, the Distinguished Global Thinker Award from the India International Centre, and the prestigious Padma Shri Award from the President of India.
Lord Parekh’s work has been translated into 20 languages. He is a distinguished fellow of the British Academy, the European Academy, and a former President of the Academy of Social Sciences, among other prestigious positions. His remarkable accomplishments bring immense pride to Gujaratis, Indians, and the global community. Despite his prominent stature, Lord Parekh’s humble nature makes him feel like one of our own, a beloved member of our family.
On the occasion of his 90th birthday, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, along with our Publisher and Editor, CB Patel, extend their warmest congratulations and best wishes. May he continue to be blessed with good health and live for many more years. Happy Birthday!
