Hyderabad|India|August'2009: Prof. Valerian Rodrigues, Chairman, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi delivered lecture titled ‘Ambedkar on Modernity and Religion’ at the IX Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Lecture organized by University of Hyderabad on 21 August 2009 at Sir C V Raman Auditorium in the University campus.

Prof. Valerian Rodrigues discussed several variants of modernity with respect to various religions. He felt that Modernity in India spelt distinct perspectives to share and relation between Modernity and Religion is complimentary rather than contradictory.

Prof. Valerian in his lecture quoted Dr. Ambedkar’s philosophy on Religion that Dr. Ambedkar differed Religion as a Private affair and Religion provides ample opportunities to interact with others and added that every religion has its wisdom to evaluate certain principles on its own.

He further added that Dr. Ambedkar made historical forays into Hinduism and Buddhism and in his quest towards fulfillment, Ambedkar switched to Buddhism and added that Hinduism is plural and diverse and several streams fed into it.


Earlier, Mr. Arjun Kumar, Dy. Registrar, Registrar Cell, University of Hyderabad welcomed the packed audience and Prof. Seyed E. Hasnain, Vice Chancellor, presided over the lecture. Mr. C.P. Mohan Kumar, Registrar, proposed the vote of thanks.

Dr. Valerian Rodrigues, Chairman, Centre for Political Studies, JNU, New Delhi has published extensively on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.