This book traces the origins and development of the Indian tradition of public debate and the various forms it took at different times in Indian history. It examines some of the major debates that occurred during the independence struggle and the ways in which they structured the conceptual and moral parameters of the Indian political imagination. Presenting riveting accounts, such as of Einsteins views on Gandhis philosophy of Ahimsa or of GandhiTagore debates, and through an imaginary dialogue between Gandhi and Osama bin Laden, Parekh critically examines the strengths and weaknesses of Gandhian philosophy.

• Acknowledgements


• Introduction


• Part I


• Public Debates


• 1: Chapter 1: Indian Traditions of Public Debate


• 2: Chapter 2: Choosing the National Symbols of India


• 3: Chapter 3: GandhiTagore Debates


• 4: Chapter 4: Ambedkar and the Pursuit of Fraternity


• 5: Chapter 5: Nehru and the National Philosophy of India


• 6: Chapter 6: Rethinking the National Philosophy


• 7: Chapter 7: Critical Reflections on the Indian Democracy


• Part II


• Limits of Dialogue


• 8: Chapter 8: Einstein on Gandhis Non-violence


• 9: Chapter 9: There Is More to Gandhi Than Non-violence


• 10: Chapter 10: Gandhi and Osama bin Laden: Is a Dialogue Possible?


• 11: Chapter 11: Gandhi and Inter-religious Dialogue


• 12: Chapter 12: Friendship in Classical Indian Thought


• Notes and References


• Index


• About the Author

Bhikhu Parekh is Emeritus Professor, University of Hull and University of Westminster, UK, and a member of the House of Lords. He is the recipient of the Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize for Lifetime Contribution to Political Philosophy, BBCs Special Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Padma Bhushan from the President of India.