State, Nation and Ethnicity in Contemporary South Asia
South Asia — a region bound by shared histories yet divided by deep ethnic, linguistic, and political fault lines — continues to grapple with questions of identity, nationhood, and belonging. Why do ethnic conflicts persist decades after independence? How have historical injustices, colonial legacies, and modern power struggles shaped the fragile balance between state and society?
In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed — political scientist, academic, author, and Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Stockholm University, Sweden — discusses his book State, Nation and Ethnicity in Contemporary South Asia with Amjad Nazeer — anthropologist, policy analyst, and human rights activist.
Through a dispassionate and scholarly lens, the discussion delves into the historical roots and contemporary dimensions of ethnic conflict across the subcontinent. From questions of identity and federalism to the challenges of pluralism and coexistence, this dialogue seeks to understand what keeps the South Asian mosaic both resilient and restless — and what lessons it holds for the future of peace and justice in the region.
This session is free and open to all. Just visit the venue to attend it.
The Black Hole
Plot 5H, Street 100, G-11/3, Islamabad.
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