Scholars hold deliberations on caste, class & literature

CHANDIGARH: Eminent litterateurs and scholars held deliberations on the socially relevant theme of ‘caste, class and literature’ during three brain storming sessions at the two-day national seminar organised by Kendri Punjabi Lekhak Sabha in collaboration with the Punjabi Akademi, Delhi, and Punjab Arts Council at the Randhawa auditorium here today.

Prof Chauthi Ram Yadav, a renowned critic, speaks during the inaugural session at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Sector 16, in Chandigarh on Saturday Tribune Photo: S Chandan

SD Sharma

Chandigarh, January 14

Eminent litterateurs and scholars held deliberations on the socially relevant theme of ‘caste, class and literature’ during three brain storming sessions at the two-day national seminar organised by Kendri Punjabi Lekhak Sabha in collaboration with the Punjabi Akademi, Delhi, and Punjab Arts Council at the Randhawa auditorium here today.

In his welcome address, Sabha president Dr Sarabjit Singh said India was a multi-racial, multi-lingual and multi-religion country with over 3,000 castes, 779 scheduled and 1,313 nomadic tribal castes and therefore the subject had been chosen for the seminar. S

Sabha secretary Dr Gurbhej Singh Goraya offered his opening remarks.

Dr Chauthi Ram Yadav of Benares Hindu University (BHU), while delivering the keynote address, delved deep into the subject and brought into focus the contradictions and conflicts in contemporary social milieu and suggested that the complex issue of class and caste needed to be tackled with sensitivity.

He observed that caste had first been merged in class with an ideal class-less society in mind. An enthralling speaker with engaging anecdotes, he denounced the hypocrisy of the top leadership and said there were caste disparities among Dalits too.

The chief guest, Dr Harish Khare, Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune Group of Publications, while substantiating the similarities of concerns, perceptions and outlooks expressed by Dr Chauthi Ram, felt that socio-political structures cannot be weakened by the activities of persons with vested interests if the ‘you’ become too big to tackle any eventual situation with a resolute resolve. Many are scared but an intellectual and determined attitude is necessary to live in invincibility, he said.

Dr SS Johal presided over the session and shared his views and experiences in reference to the subject.

The concluding session belonged to eminent scholar Dr Harish Puri who delved into the pivotal role of Dr BR Ambedkar in safeguarding and guaranteeing the due rights for the backward and scheduled classes as also creating awakening about the rights of the downtrodden.

Dr Tejwant Gill offered his views on the ideology of

Dr Ambedkar and Karl Marx. Other prominent speakers included Dr Subhodh Malakar and Dr Apurva Nand from the Delhi University. Sabha secretary Sushil Dosanjh expressed his gratitude to all 300 writers and delegates for attending the seminar.