About
The Centre for Studies in Politics and Democracy at the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, RV University is dedicated to advancing research on diverse aspects of politics and democracy in India and across the globe. The Centre seeks to delve into a wide array of issues related to Indian and global democracies, situating them within broader discussions on politics, society, economy, and culture.
Focusing on the intricate relationships between the state and society, democracy and development, and the power dynamics within governing classes, the Centre aims to foster a deeper understanding of the contemporary democratic experience. With regard to the Indian context, the study of democratic institutions and processes, the Indian Constitution, the politics of region, religion, caste, gender, and language constitute essential facets of the Centre’s research agenda.
At its core, the Centre seeks to investigate the complex interplay of socio-political forces, the dynamics of social formation, and political transformation to analyze the evolving grammar of both Indian and global politics. Additionally, it aims to encourage international dialogue and collaborative research on the various challenges encountered by democracies worldwide.Objectives
- Promote dialogue and research on Indian democracy and democracies worldwide
- Organize lectures, panel discussions, seminars, workshops and conferences on Indian and global politics
- Facilitate discussions on seminal works in politics and democracy through organized reading groups
- Provide a platform for emerging and established scholars whose research intersects with the Centre’s focus areas
- Develop and teach courses on democracy and politics in India
- Motivate students to explore unique and complex aspects of Indian democracy, politics and elections as active collaborators in the Centre’s research projects
- Partner with like-minded researchers, think tanks, and research organizations with shared objectives
- Advance research on electoral politics and democracy
- Internship opportunities at the Centre
Members
Core Members:
Dr. Vijendra Singh Director, Associate Professor, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, RV University
Dr. Surya Sankar Sen Co-Director, Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, RV University
Dr. Aswathi A. Nair Co-Director, Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, RV University
Ongoing Research Project
A collaborative project with the Centre for Disability Justice and Inclusion titled Flushed out: Unraveling the Labyrinth of Public Toilets in Bengaluru – A tale of Access, Equity, and Quality. The scope of this project is to evaluate how public toilets in Bengaluru facilitate public access for different sections of communities. The aim of this project is to shift the narrative on public toilets from the one centered on infrastructure view to the one centered on quality access to public spaces for various identities in society. The report will be published soon.
Events
| Events | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inauguration and Distinguished Public Lecture by N. Gopalaswami
Bio – former Chief Election Commissioner of India (2006-2009) & Padma Bhushan awardee (2015) |
31st May 2022 |
| 2 | Public Lecture by Prof. G. Haragopal
Bio – Visiting Professor, National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore and former Professor, University of Hyderabad Topic: India @75: Reflections on Indian Democracy |
18th October 2022 |
|
3 |
Public Lecture by Dr. Rinku Lamba
Bio – Associate Professor, Study for the Centre of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, National Law School of India, Bengaluru Topic: The Culture of Indian Democracy |
3rd March 2023 |
| 4 | Distinguished Public Lecture by Prof. Rajeev Bhargava
Bio – Honorary fellow & director of Parekh Institute of Indian Thought at Centre for Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), Delhi. Former Director of the CSDS from 2007-2014. He has been Professor at the Centre for Political Studies, JNU, and was Head of Department of Political Science, University of Delhi. Topic: Critical Reflections on Religion and the Secular |
24th March 2023 |
| 5 | Public Lecture by Mr. Sudhanshu Kaushik
Bio – Sudhanshu Kaushik is an international youth activist known for founding Young India Foundation (YIF) and the North American Association of Indian Students (NAAIS). He has previously worked with CNN and the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations. He is a recipient of the Gallatin Global Fellowship in Human Rights and a fellowship from the South Asian Journalists Association. He has attended University of Oxford, Columbia University, and New York University. He’s currently a Civic Scholar at University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. Topic: Youth, Elections and Democracy in India |
26th February 2024 |
Publications
- Flushed Out: Unravelling the Labyrinth of Public Toilets in Bengaluru – A Tale of Access, Equity, and Quality,
Click to download the complete report
