The Department of Political Science, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh is organising an ICSSR-sponsored National Seminar on April 30, 2019- May 01, 2019.

Important Dates

Submission of Abstract: 10^th April 2019
Intimation of Acceptance of abstract: 12^th April
Submission of Full Paper: 22^nd April 2019
Intimation of Acceptance of final paper: 24^th April 2019
Date of Seminar: April 30—May 01, 2019

Concept Note

This seminar may be seen as an attempt towards developing an organic understanding of the theory of justice for the developing world and beyond. It’s an attempt to develop a framework of justice which is best suited for the Indian needs while engaging with the contemporary practices of justice in India. Another running theme of the seminar is to go beyond the academic categories and concepts which make little sense to the lived-experiences of Indian masses. The seminar will try to analyze the dilemmas of justice both in practice and theory. If you seek info to accomplish academic projects about India, we'll help you resolve all write my essay problems. Given the rich philosophical traditions of India, its cross-cutting diversity and issues specifically related to India, like Caste, the seminar will interrogate the question of justice from varied lenses specifically suited to Indian needs. We will try to evaluate the social justice framework in India from the standpoint of universalist western paradigms. An attempt will also be made to go beyond Eurocentric theories of justice while developing an Indigenous organic framework of justice.

Therefore, we are trying to move beyond the traditional conceptualization of justice in terms of desert, virtue, distribution, fairness and bring into the fold of justice the emerging concepts like Capabilitarianism, Svaraj and Recognition in global south with special reference to India. With revisiting of Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar and emergence of Amartya Sen, Neera Chandhoke, Rajeev Bhargava, Gurpreet Mahajan, Aakash Singh Rathore on the Indian academic scene, there is a quest for developing an Indian theory of Justice. The assertion of Ambedkarite forces, marginalization of minorities and adivasis and emergence of a mammoth Indian Urban Middle Class has changed the dynamics of academic discourse in India in a big way. After more than seventy years of Indian Independence and its interaction with the fast-changing global world, the academic categories to capture Indian reality are falling short. This conference attempts to meaningfully engage with the ground reality of the Indian masses vis-a-vis the academic theorization while contesting the western gaze on Global South.

Principal Theme

Towards a Just India: Challenges and Prospects

Suggested Sub-Themes

Section I: Theoretical Debates and Underpinnings on Justice

Classical Paradigms of Justice
Contemporary Paradigms: Liberal, Neo-Liberal and Communitarian Perspectives on Justice
Towards Integrating Classical and Contemporary Paradigms of Justice
Non-Western Perspectives on Justice
The Universalist and Relativist Conceptions of Justice
Global Justice: Implications for Developing World
Universalization and Institutionalization of Welfare State: Normative and Empirical Dimensions
Democracy and Justice: Representation. Recognition, Participation, Inclusion and Redistribution
Capability Paradigm of Justice and Global South
Post-Modern and Post-Colonial Theorization of Justice

Section II: Issues and Debates in India

The Constitutionalization of Justice in India
Human Rights and Justice in Indian Context
Legal Initiatives and Social Rights Jurisprudence
Redistribution, Recognition and Representation Debates in India
Multicultural Framework and Justice in India
Affirmative Action Programs: Policies, Performance, Implementation and Outcomes
The Democratic Practice, Complex Diversity and Justice in India
Intersectionality of Caste, Class, and Gender
Rawlsian Justice: Exploring the Possibilities of Engagement in India
Contextualizing Communitarian Approaches to Justice with reference to India
Amartya Sen’s Idea of Justice: Deconstructing Contemporary India
Neo-Liberal Tilt of Indian State and Its implications for Marginalized Sections
Globalization and Its Impact on Marginalized Sections
Justice in Digital India: Implications of WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook
The Question of Growth with Equity
The Issue of Migration, Displacement, and Development: State Corporatism and Social Movements
Land Acquisition and the Question of Justice
Communal Violence and Justice
State of Gender Justice
Public Interest Litigation and Legal Aid
Ancient Hindu Traditions, Hindutva and Justice
Buddhist Ethics and Justice
Islamic Perspectives on Justice
Gandhi’s Conception of Justice
Ambedkarite Vision of Justice
State of Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development

Important Note

The participants will not be allowed to present the paper without the prior submission of the complete paper by 22nd April 2019.
Selected articles will be published in the form of a book from a reputed publisher.
Proper time will be given to revise the papers for publication in the backdrop of the critical inputs in the seminar.
Board and lodging will be provided to the outstation participants.
TA may be reimbursed as per needs of the participants and availability of funds.

Guidelines for Abstract Submission

The abstract should not be more than 400 words in MS word only (PDF files will not be accepted) along with the title of the proposed paper, Presenting Author, Second/Third Author (if any), email address, contact no., affiliating institution. Abstracts should be sent to [email protected]

About the University

The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is a premier Central University included as an institution of ‘National Importance’ in the VII Schedule of the Constitution of India with several faculties and maintained institutions. The Aligarh Muslim University was Accredited by NAAC in ‘A’ grade. AMU draws students from all over the country as well as foreign countries. Imbibing the objective tenor of the west and preserving the oriental tradition, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the great visionary, established the Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College on May 24, 1875 with a resolve to initiate western education amongst Muslims and liberate their mind from out-moded patterns of thought and behaviour. The vision became a reality in 1920 when this College matured to the status of the Aligarh Muslim University. Since then it has ever been expanding, diversifying and relentlessly working towards keeping its promise to the commitment of its founder. The residential character of this University, where most of the staff and students reside on the campus itself, contributes greatly to the country’s multi-religious, multi-social and multi-lingual character. There are thirteen faculties and more than a hundred Departments of Studies with a teaching strength of around 2,000 faculty members disseminating knowledge to more than thirty thousand students.

About the Department

The Department of History and Politics of the Aligarh Muslim University was established in 1922. The present Department of Political Science became a separate and independent Department in 1948. Presently the Department has 26 faculty members. Apart from offering B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science the department also offers M.A., M.Phil and Ph.D. programs in Political Science, Public Administration and Human Rights. Since 1967 the Department has been publishing a research journal, Indian Journal of Politics, [ISSN: 0303 – 9957] which has been indexed in the Current Contents and abstracted in the International Political Science Abstracts (Paris).

About Aligarh

Aligarh is located on the main Delhi-Kolkata rail route at a distance of 135 km south-east of Delhi (Approximately two hours journey from Delhi). Aligarh is only 82 km from Agra and 60 km from Mathura (by road), two very famous places of historical interest and tourist attraction. The campus is two kms away from Aligarh Railway Station.