Experts reflect on democracy and dissent at Bengaluru event on Umar Khalid

Posted on April 28, 2026
By The Hindu
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In brief

At a Bengaluru symposium discussing Umar Khalid's case, renowned historian Ramachandra Guha emphasized the importance of unity among progressive voices in confronting authoritarianism. Rather than perpetuating historical divisions between iconic figures like Gandhi and Ambedkar, or Nehru and Patel, Guha argued that contemporary resistance movements must transcend ideological differences and collaborate on shared democratic principles. His remarks highlight how manufactured conflicts distract from the genuine threat posed by majoritarian governance.

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Experts reflect on democracy and dissent at Bengaluru event on Umar Khalid

“We need to realise who are fighting for the same cause and not start what Freud may have called the narcissism of minor differences, such as Gandhi versus Ambedkar, Patel versus Nehru, Bhagat Singh versus Gandhi,” said historian and scholar Ramachandra Guha, adding that resisting majoritarian forces required drawing strength from all of them rather than setting them against one another.