One may look askance at Modi government's invitation to renowned social anthropologist Gail Omvedt to give the keynote speech at the 'International Seminar on Buddhist Heritage, Gujarat' at Vadodara. Omvedt spoke about "The Buddhist India" on Saturday.
Omvedt, who lives in Sangli in Maharashtra, is known for her contribution to Dalit and anti-caste movements, and for taking up farmers' and women's issues. In the past, she has also participated in Narmada Bachao Andolan.
She had also criticised BJP government and its Hindutva ideology during Gujarat riots of 2002. In fact, the decision to invite Omvedt for the keynote address was taken in consultation with the state government.
K Krishanan, professor of archaeology at MSU who is also the seminar coordinator, said: "There was a committee of experts who had decided the list of scholars on Buddhist studies for the keynote address in the seminar. It had short-listed names of four scholars, of which two were from India and two were foreigners.
Two scholars expressed their unavailability because of health issues. Finally, the list was sent to the government for the consultation and the name of Gail Omvedt was finalised."
Gail talked about Buddhism in ancient India, historical survey, caste system, science, place of women in Buddhist India and Buddhism today in the country.
It would be interesting to recall that Amir Khan's film 'Fanaa' released in 2006 was unofficially banned in Gujarat because of the actor's comments over the rehabilitation of people affected by Narmada Dam. BJP workers had protested across the state and stopped the screening of the film in theatres.
