All India History Summit poses divergent views
New Delhi: First day of All India History Summit which features experts, historians, professors and researchers from across India saw divergent views on one platform. Organised by Centre for Educational Research and Training (CERT) in collaboration with Centre for Study and Research (CSR) Hyderabad and Student Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) looked at historical perspectives and issues plaguing the marginalised communities.
All India History Summit is a two days event on 29th and 30th of September 2018 at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Teen Murti Marg, New Delhi. The first day of the summit saw speakers representing a diverse cross-section of perspectives which would lead to an informed and incisive discussion on issues central to India’s way forward in the 21st century.
In his opening address Nahas Mala – President SIO said “The political assertions around marginalized identities are detested in the arena of mainstream historiography by labelling it as identity, communal politics, while using the existing binaries of secular, communal , liberal, conservative , humanist and casteist. Searching for an alternative methodology of historiography beyond these binaries is a challenging endeavour for academia in order to resist Hinduvta’s rewriting of history.
Prof Kancha Ilaiah spoke on the topic ‘Casting out Caste – Dalit Engagement with Power Politics’. He said, Caste is a reality and it needs to be addressed by Muslim community. Al-Biruni is the only Muslim scholar who studied and wrote about caste system. Muslim scholars and students should write on dalit and caste system.
He further said “If Muslims want to counter the hindutva nationalism then you have to own nationalist beginnings of Harappan civilization.
Prof Najaf Haider of Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University emphasised that the Muslims have not studied about hindus or their culture in depth and Muslim community was itself hierarchical.
Elaborating on the topic ‘Economic History of Mughal India’ Prof Najaf said, “The Indian economy was better at the time of Mughals than British. Mughals never transferred economy to other countries like Britishers.
Another Panelist, Prof. Istiaq Ahmed Zilli spoke about locating Islam in Indian History. He reiterated that the Muslim rule in India was not an Islamic state but just a Muslim state because they were not following the Shariah and Muslim society was hierarchical system.
Delegates from 12 states and from more than 30 Universities and educational institution participated in All India History Summit. 10 research papers were presented on Day One which was chaired by Prof. Syed Ayub Ali – Kakatiya University
On Sunday remaining 15 papers will be presented followed by Valedictory address of Syed Sadatullah Hussaini. Guest speaker from Germany Dr Dietrich Reetz will also address the gathering.