Panel will be formed to study origin and evolution of Indian culture: Union minister | India News
MADURAI: It has been decided to reconstitute the ‘committee for holistic study of origin and evolution of Indian culture since 12,000 BP (before present) and its interface with other cultures of the world,’ minister for culture and tourism G Kishan Reddy said in his reply to unstarred questions raised by Madurai MP Su Venkatesan on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament on Monday.
The minister said the earlier committee that was set up in 2016 only had two meetings — on January 3 and May 2 , 2017.
“While reconstituting the committee, all the suggestions on diversity in membership would be given due consideration,” he added.
Venkatesan had asked if the Union government planned to dissolve the 16-member committee that came under criticism for lack of diversity to ensure fair representation with diversity.
Venkatesan told reporters on Tuesday that the earlier committee had no representation from south India, Northeast India, minorities, Dalits and women. The MP raised the issue in the parliament on September 14, 2020. He added that almost all the members of the committee were from the creamy layer of the caste table and from north India.
On September 23, a representation for diversity was given to the President of India by 32 MPs from across India.
Venkatesan called the minister’s reply on Monday a victory for effort taken by the 32 MPs. However, he said that the intention of the government in this regard should be cautiously monitored and debated. Awareness should be created on the Union government’s efforts to twist history and attack on diversity, he added.
The minister said the earlier committee that was set up in 2016 only had two meetings — on January 3 and May 2 , 2017.
“While reconstituting the committee, all the suggestions on diversity in membership would be given due consideration,” he added.
Venkatesan had asked if the Union government planned to dissolve the 16-member committee that came under criticism for lack of diversity to ensure fair representation with diversity.
Venkatesan told reporters on Tuesday that the earlier committee had no representation from south India, Northeast India, minorities, Dalits and women. The MP raised the issue in the parliament on September 14, 2020. He added that almost all the members of the committee were from the creamy layer of the caste table and from north India.
On September 23, a representation for diversity was given to the President of India by 32 MPs from across India.
Venkatesan called the minister’s reply on Monday a victory for effort taken by the 32 MPs. However, he said that the intention of the government in this regard should be cautiously monitored and debated. Awareness should be created on the Union government’s efforts to twist history and attack on diversity, he added.
