This event is free and is open to all QUB staff and students.

To book your place please RSVP to the Mitchell Institute at mitchell.institute@qub.ac.uk by noon on Wednesday 13 November. 

Speakers: Professor Faisal Devji (St Antony’s College, Oxford)

Professor Richard English (Distinguished Professorial Fellow, Mitchell Institute)

Series Convenor: Dr Zaheer Kazmi 

Anti-colonialism has historically been dominated by a desire to acknowledge the humanity and equality of all peoples, its critique often turning on the threat imperialism posed to the lives of its subjects. Even those labeled by colonial powers as revolutionaries and terrorists, tended to excuse their violence as temporary, and dedicated it to recovering the equal value of all human lives. 

Professor Faisal Devji,  a leading expert on Gandhi’s political thought and author of The Impossible Indian: Gandhi and the Temptation of Violence, will argue that Gandhi, perhaps the most important figure in anti-colonial history, disagreed with this line of thinking. Not only did he understand claims to speak on behalf of the human race as being imperialist, but argued that the value they put on human life was itself a cause of violence. While Gandhi spoke frequently about humanity and humanitarianism, he was deeply suspicious of any attempt to serve or even speak in the name of the human race. Find out more about Faisal here. 

Professor Richard English, a leading expert on nationalism, political violence and terrorism, will respond to Professor Devji’s talk discussing nonviolence and Gandhi’s global legacy, particularly on peace and conflict in Britain and Ireland. Find out more about Richard here.