Lecture at Alipore Museum examines tolerance, heritage and reconciliation

Writer and former diplomat Pavan K. Varma delivered a wide-ranging address on tolerance, heritage and reconciliation at a memorial lecture held at Alipore Museum on 14 January 2026. Titled Are We a Tolerant Society? Heritage, History, Reconciliation, the lecture examined tolerance as a lived civilisational value rather than a rhetorical ideal.Varma began by paying tribute to Jit Paul, in whose memory the annual lecture is held, before turning to the central question of whether tolerance continues to define Indian society. He described tolerance as an attitude rooted in respect for differing viewpoints, urging a shift away from rigid certainties that exclude others. According to Varma, tolerance is not merely coexistence but an ethical practice that must be consciously nurtured.Tracing India’s intellectual and spiritual traditions, he highlighted how pluralism was historically encouraged, citing the patronage extended to Buddhism and Jainism by Hindu rulers and institutions such as Nalanda. At the same time, he acknowledged historical contradictions, including caste and gender hierarchies, while noting reform movements that sought to restore inclusive values.Varma also referred to the Constitution as a reaffirmation of tolerance, safeguarding freedoms of expression, belief and dissent. Warning that tolerance is fragile, he stressed the need for constant vigilance and civic responsibility.The session was chaired by Dr Jayanta Sengupta, Director of Alipore Museum, who placed the lecture within a broader framework of public thought and civic reflection.