Religion remains a dynamic and influential force in social and political life in India. In the recent decades, there has been an active resurgence and transformation of religious identities, practices, and institutional organization that have shaped public discourse, civil society engagements, and everyday life-worlds within the Indian public sphere. The public sphere in India is defined by its cultural practices and traditions across spatial and temporal contexts as well as its adaptation by various institutions and structures. This translates into a colloquial comprehension of the public sphere perceived from the lens of inhabitants and their everyday experiences and interpretations. The scholarship on the evolving role of religion in the public sphere is critically engaging with questions of the modern separation of secular public and private religion, claims of belonging, ritual performances in the public, assertion and contestation of identities, and the larger narratives of cultural change.
The transhistorical and transcultural attributes of religion in the Indian subcontinent contribute towards shaping a shared reality of emancipation and exploitation. In this Winter School titled “Enacting the Sacred, Reconfiguring the Public Sphere” we invite proposals from post-graduate students interested in the critical exploration of religion and the public sphere in India. Intersectional engagements that speak to changing life-worlds, contested claims of the secular public sphere, boundaries of communities and the multifaceted role of religion in shaping public life are welcome to submit their papers. This year, the winter school aims to critically explore the evolving interaction of religion and the public sphere in the Indian context and how it shapes the everyday life experiences of political subjects in the country. We aim to discuss traditions, practices, institutional boundaries, and performances of religion in the public sphere. We invite papers on the topics that include but are not limited to:
1. Ritual performances and everyday narratives
2. Religion and civil society
3. Intersectional social markers of the public sphere
4. Inter-faith dialogue
5. Re-socialization of the public sphere
6. New socio-religious movements
The Winter School will invite academicians whose work resonates with the theme of the winter school. Participants will be able to discuss their ideas in a collaborative environment and deepen their theoretical understanding on the topic. The Winter School aims to provide a space of engagement for reflexivity and grounded explorations of religion in the public sphere.
Organizers
Namrata Hazarika, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Delhi
Sarbeswar Sahoo, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Delhi
Venue and Dates:
The Winter School will be held at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi during 2-6 February 2026.
Who Can Apply?
The winter school is meant for Indian students/students who are registered in Indian Universities/Institutions. It is meant for students who have completed their MA degrees in the humanities and/or social sciences (or will do so in the near future), who have an interest in these topics and think about engaging in PhD research in this field in the future. Early PhD students may also apply, but priority will be given to MA students.
How to Apply?
Please send us a copy of your CV and a one-page write-up/research proposal on what your research is about or what you are planning to work on in future PhD research. Please clearly state your research question(s) in the proposal. Please send the documents to: winterschool.iitd@gmail.com
When is the Last Date to Send Application?
The last date for sending your application is 30th November 2025.
Participation Fees:
Indian Students: INR 2000 (Two Thousand Rupees only)
Once your proposal is accepted, you will be required to transfer the fees to an account at IIT Delhi within a week. Failing to do so will mean that you are not interested in participating in the winter school and your place will be given to another student.
Travel/Accommodation:
The Winter School will not cover the cost of your travel and accommodation. You will need to book/arrange your own travel and accommodation in Delhi during the period of the Winter School.
What will you receive?
The Winter School will provide you with:
• Soft copies of the course material and program
• Participation/completion certificate signed by the organisers
• Lunch, tea and snacks during the winter school
Contact:
Namrata Hazarika/Sarbeswar Sahoo
Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016
Email: winterschool.iitd@gmail.com