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Divyadaan Students Host Symposium on Faith, Fear and the Future
News reported by: Cl. Albert Antony Joseph SDB for BIS Mumbai
Licentiate students of the Divyadaan, Salesian Institute of Philosophy, organised a thought-provoking symposium on “Faith, Fear and the Future: From Secularism to Ethical Solidarity” on February 17, 2026, drawing faculty members and students into a critical engagement with contemporary socio-political realities.
The symposium commenced at 9 a.m. with a prayer service led by Br Joseph Thambi SDB, the event's moderator. Welcoming the gathering, Fr Jacob Palaparambil SDB, Registrar of the Institute, outlined the rationale behind the chosen theme, describing it as both timely and urgent in the present climate. He also congratulated the licentiate students for their commitment and meticulous effort in organising the academic event.
A short video presentation set the tone for the deliberations before the formal introduction of the theme. The visual presentation offered a reflective overview of the symposium’s core concerns and served as an entry point into the discussions that followed. The theme was then introduced by Br M. Praveen SDB, who explained its conceptual depth and broader implications. He also briefly introduced the speakers and their respective topics.
The symposium featured three scholarly presentations. The first talk, “Fear as a Political Tool: How Insecurity Rises, Secular Reason Weakens, and Violence Spreads in Contemporary India,” was delivered by Br Albert Antony Joseph SDB. He invited participants to critically examine how fear, when strategically managed, can distort moral judgment and erode the foundations of secular coexistence.
The second presentation, “From Consent to Silence: How the New Normalisation is Made,” by Br Thomihie N. Kajiri SDB, explored how gradual acceptance of political agendas often leads to silence and complicity. He argued that such normalisation demands conscious ethical resistance and critical reflection.
The final talk, “From Secularism to Ethical Solidarity: Living It in Practice,” was presented by Br Anthony Raj Dasari SDB. He stressed the need to move beyond a purely legal notion of secularism toward a lived ethic rooted in responsibility, dialogue, and compassion.
An open forum followed the presentations, enabling active interaction and practical reflection. The symposium concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Br Antoni Wanniang OFM, bringing the programme to a reflective close.
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