Militarism, future of democracy in state to be discussed at MU
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 18 2011: Manipur Research Forum (Imphal & Delhi), is organizing a colloquium on the theme Militarism and Future of Democracy in Manipur from March 24 to March 26, 2011 .

The colloquium is being organized in collaboration with the Department of Philosophy, Manipur University, Canchipur; All Manipur Working Journalists' Union, Imphal; Human Rights Alert, Imphal and Indian Council of Social Science Research-NERC, Shillong.

It will be held at the Senate Hall Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal.

The colloquium aims at understanding violence that has become a way of life in Manipur.

It will discuss the issue of militarism that goes beyond the visibility or invisibility of the armed forces and groups besides analysing how violence gets reflected in the cultural life of the people.

The three-day event will deliberate on how violent trends came to be accepted while acknowledging the fact that they are aberrations of principles and practices of democracy.

While dealing with violence and militarism, the colloquium will make an effort to understand the dynamics of the Indian state and unmask its discourse, rationale and imperatives.

It will examine the "right to development" as a political discourse rather than mere avenues of employment, per capita growth, income generation, and above all, the symbol of progress.

Another important issue the event will also review is the role of the State and civil society organisations keeping in mind that their functioning ought to be built on democratic platforms and debate rather than intimidation.

The three-day colloquium also explores the relationships between media and democracy.

It will map out the mounting challenges faced by people in restoring the role of media as a vanguard of democracy.

Finally, the colloquium aims towards exploring the contents and methods that may initiate political processes where democracy as principles and practices are respected and adhered to, a statement of the programme coordinator of the colloquium said.

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