SOUTH ASIAN LEFTISTS DIALOGUING WITH RELIGION [SALDWR]

Friends,
For too long have 'progressive' intellectuals and groups ignored the powerful appeal of religion in shaping popular discourse and politics. By doing so we have allowed fanatics and fascists to assert their claim of speaking for religious and community 'interests', leading to unimaginable murder and destruction. We have also been guilty of a blind, mechanical application of a Eurocentric understanding of 'Revolution' that has little or no role for religion or spirituality. Just as 'progressive' intellectuals and groups need to seriously revise their stance on religion so, too, we believe, must religious practitioners take what Leftists are saying more seriously. There is an urgent need for a closer dialogue between the Left and religious practitioners, to work together for social justice and communal harmony in South Asia, which, we believe, are as central to true spirituality as they is to the agenda of the Left.

This discussion group aims at helping promote this sort of dialogue. We welcome discussion on a range of issues, including religion and politics, communalism, fundamentalism and its links with imperialism and fascism, interfaith dialogue, human rights, rights of gender and sexual minorities, alternate, progressive understandings of religion and liberation theology. We do not confine ourselves to any particular religious tradition. Although the main focus of our discussions would be Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism as well as Tribal and Dalit religions (including the multiple interpretations and traditions within each of these broad categories) we welcome insights drawing on other religious traditions as well. Our geographical focus is South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal), but reflections drawn from other areas are also welcome.