Protest Venue Rental at Habitat
Donation protected
The funds raised will go towards renting a 90-person capacity room (plus AV equipment) at the Habitat Centre, which is where the AAS-in-Asia conference is being hosted. This room will serve as a public space for protesting the exclusion of Pakistani scholars from the conference. Several of our Pakistani colleagues, as well as those who have been affected by the ban, have pre-recorded statements that we will be able to share.
In addition, the meeting space will allow for discussion on various issues that have emerged regarding our academic practice. Colleagues will share their remarks on the following questions:
- What responsibilities do professional organizations have to their members?
- How is “South Asian Studies” organized and what voices does it marginalize?
- What actions can be taken when visa regimes limit academic exchange?
- What challenges do local institutions face when hosting regional conferences?
- What is the purpose of an academic conference?
- What are the politics of boycotts?
Furthermore, four motions will be voted on and submitted to the AAS leadership and to the Government of India. The motions are:
1. All future AAS conferences held in South Asia must be in countries that do not have official or unofficial policies that exclude anyone based on nationality.
2. Before confirming the conference site, the AAS must be given proper assurance that the host country will provide visas to all participants. In the event that a government issues any entry restrictions, the AAS must inform all participants -- not merely those immediately affected by the restrictions -- in a timely manner.
3. The AAS will commit to providing further assurances for Pakistani participation in the next AAS-in-Asia conference by reducing registration fees and offering travel stipends to Pakistani participants.
4. Keeping in line with the Ministry of External Affairs’ own statement to keep non-official channels active between India and Pakistan, we strongly urge the Government of India to reconsider its position on a blanket ban on Pakistani scholars. Exclusions of this nature are not only counterproductive to processes of free and meaningful academic engagement but also stifle ongoing attempts to enhance understanding between the two countries.
In addition, the meeting space will allow for discussion on various issues that have emerged regarding our academic practice. Colleagues will share their remarks on the following questions:
- What responsibilities do professional organizations have to their members?
- How is “South Asian Studies” organized and what voices does it marginalize?
- What actions can be taken when visa regimes limit academic exchange?
- What challenges do local institutions face when hosting regional conferences?
- What is the purpose of an academic conference?
- What are the politics of boycotts?
Furthermore, four motions will be voted on and submitted to the AAS leadership and to the Government of India. The motions are:
1. All future AAS conferences held in South Asia must be in countries that do not have official or unofficial policies that exclude anyone based on nationality.
2. Before confirming the conference site, the AAS must be given proper assurance that the host country will provide visas to all participants. In the event that a government issues any entry restrictions, the AAS must inform all participants -- not merely those immediately affected by the restrictions -- in a timely manner.
3. The AAS will commit to providing further assurances for Pakistani participation in the next AAS-in-Asia conference by reducing registration fees and offering travel stipends to Pakistani participants.
4. Keeping in line with the Ministry of External Affairs’ own statement to keep non-official channels active between India and Pakistan, we strongly urge the Government of India to reconsider its position on a blanket ban on Pakistani scholars. Exclusions of this nature are not only counterproductive to processes of free and meaningful academic engagement but also stifle ongoing attempts to enhance understanding between the two countries.
Organizer
Mira Mohsini
Organizer
Akron, OH