B.R. Ambedkar is arguably one of Columbia University’s most illustrious alumni, whose ideas and activism has shaped the world’s largest democracy, India. The Ambedkar Lectures explore his continued relevance for discussions of social justice, affirmative action, and democratic thinking in a global frame.

Global Ambedkar 

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Time: 6:30PM- 8:30PM

Venue: James Room, Barnard Hall

Etienne Balibar (Anniversary Chair Professor, CRMEP and Columbia University)

Nahum Chandler (UC-Irvine)

Gopal Guru (JNU, Editor, Economic and Political Weekly)

Gayatri Spivak (University Professor, Columbia)

Moderated by Anupama Rao (Barnard, Columbia)

Welcome and introductions by David Madigan, Sarah Cole, and Anupama Rao.

Ambedkar Now

Friday, October 19, 2018

Time: 6:30-8:30PM

Venue: Davis Auditorium

Sudipto Mondal (Investigative journalist, Hindustan Times)

Gaiutra Bahadur (Author of Coolie Women)

Closing remarks by Ira Katznelson

Please contact Josue David Chavez, jdc2196@columbia.edu for further details.

The Ambedkar Lectures are hosted by Institute for Comparative Literature and Society with additional support by: Office of the EVP (Columbia); Dean of Humanities (Columbia); Office of the Provost (Barnard); Columbia Center for Contemporary Critical Thought; Institute for Research in African-American Studies; The Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies; South Asia Institute; the Society of Fellows and Heyman Center for the Humanities.