Mumbai: In a historic first, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) hosted a Jain spiritual monk, His Holiness Spiritual Sovereign Jainacharya Yugbhushan Suri, the 79th successor of Tirthankar Shri Mahavir, to lead a seminar on “The Root Cause of Discrimination in the Current World Order.”
Addressing one of the most pressing contemporary issues—systemic discrimination—Jainacharya Yugbhushan Suri emphasized that the deep-rooted causes of global inequity lie within the world order established by Western powers post-World War II. He asserted that the origins of this imbalance trace back to racism in the form of white supremacy, which continues to shape economic disparity and structural injustices.
“Poverty is not an accident; it is engineered,” His Holiness remarked, highlighting how this deliberately constructed poverty and resultant underdevelopment serve as the primary drivers of discrimination today. He further pointed out that while superficial issues of discrimination are widely discussed, the systemic discrimination targeting the Global South remains in the shadows. The only viable solution, he stated, lies in reforming the world order based on the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world as one family).
Exhibition: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Ki Oar
Accompanying the seminar was a 200-foot exhibition that showcased Jainacharya Yugbhushan Suri’s insights into modern political, social, and religious issues, drawing from ancient scriptures and contemporary global analysis. A key highlight was the unveiling of the third edition of the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Ki Oar Conclave series, which explored how the historical merger of spiritual and temporal sovereignties led to absolute sovereignty, contributing to turmoil in the modern world order.
Another significant display was a comparative analysis of the Basic Structure Doctrine as seen in ancient Bharat and modern India. Additionally, two contrasting models were presented:
1. The existing flawed global order rooted in Western values.
2. A reformed world order based on the scriptural philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
Eminent Personalities in Attendance
The seminar drew an audience of over 200 participants from diverse fields, including industry leaders, academicians, and policymakers. Among the notable attendees were:
• Niranjan Hiranandani, MD, Hiranandani Group
• Dilip Derai, Executive Director, Reliance
• Dr. Bhaskar Shah, Renowned Cardiologist
• Dhaval Shah and Hardik Shah, Co-founders, PharmEasy
• Prof. Ahona Roy, IIT Bombay
• Prof. Kaushal Jain, HOD of Commerce, Sydenham College
Part of a Larger Global Initiative
This seminar was an extension of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Ki Oar Conclave 3.0, an initiative by Jyot, aimed at promoting Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as the guiding principle for a free, fair, and just world order. Over the years, this initiative has facilitated three major conclaves and multiple subsidiary events, bringing together policymakers, legal experts, corporate leaders, and academicians for thought-provoking discussions with spiritual and philosophical leaders.
With the success of this event, the dialogue on global justice and equitable governance continues to gain momentum, setting the stage for a transformative rethinking of the existing world order.
