The UTC AGM pre council seminar lecture was delivered today in the UTC ERC seminar hall by the Registrar of the Senate of Serampore College (University) Rev. Dr. Santanu Patro. The title of his paper was "Brahminism in the Subaltern: Predicament in Theorising
Feminism for India." The bishop of the CSI Central Kerala diocese Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen presided over the presentation.
The paper dealt with the questions Is Brahminism reappearing
as an alternative paradigm within the field of subaltern studies to theorise
Indian Dalit, Adivasi and Women studies? Is it enough to accept Brahminism
because it has countered effectively ‘Westernism’ and contextualised through
indigenous movements, cultural rootedness and pluralistic religious
foundations? Is there a possibility of doing Indian Feminism without Brahminism
while maintaining equidistance from the Western influences such as Feminist
Theology?
He ended by suggesting by suggesting a few tools of analysis
to help construct an adequate methodology for Indian Feminist Theology.
1. Critical shift is needed from Narisakti to Narimukti
2. Emphasis on Prakrti over and above Purusa.
3. Little story and oral history constitute Herstory.
4. Critiquing tradition as an a priori engagement.
5. Analysing power.
6. Experience.
7. Accompanying in the struggles with the Dalits and
Adivasis.
