This virtual seminar series titled Navigating Political Concepts and Ideals: The Discourse of the Past and Present delves into the evolving discourse on political concepts and ideals by exploring sovereignty, bureaucracy, the ideal society, freedom, secularism, and citizenship, all of which have been shaped by historical and contemporary debates. It will critically examine the tensions and synergies among these concepts, providing a platform for in-depth discussion on their relevance in today's world. The speakers will engage with the past and present to deepen our understanding of these political concepts and ideals.

Gandhi’s Constructive Programme presents a crucial opportunity to realise his vision of achieving genuine and comprehensive independence, or Swaraj, for India. Poorna Swaraj sheds light on Gandhi’s roadmap for an egalitarian society, which includes promoting communal unity, women’s emancipation, addressing the concerns of Adivasis, alleviating farmers’ distress, eliminating untouchability, demystifying leprosy, and emphasising the role of khadi, charkha, villages, and small-scale industries. It broadens the concept of ‘political’ beyond the specific realm of politics and limited representation. The most crucial factor that still needs to be addressed is the undiscovered domain of immediacy. The presentation explores this overlooked facet of Gandhi.

Dr Dhananjay Rai teaches at the Department of Gandhian Thought and Peace Studies, Central University of Gujarat. He was a former visiting fellow (2022-24) at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi. His published book is Contested Representation: Dalits, Popular Hindi Cinema, and Public Sphere (Rowman & Littlefield 2022). His latest book is Poorna Swaraj Constructive Programme: Its Meaning and Place (Vintage Books, 2023).

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