In the 1993 issue of Foreign Affairs, Samuel P. Huntington hypothesised that “the fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic [but]…cultural”.

As the western culture gets increasingly challenged by groups within societies, more so by the extremist elements, the quintessential academic query whether ‘multiculturalism is dead’, as claimed by many western leaders and political commentators, requires a fresh scrutiny.

Amidst intensifying debate in Australia on multiculturalism, this initiative proposes alternative approaches in understanding factors that shape and reinforce multicultural construct of a society.

Adopting the comparative method it delves into the experiences of pluralistic societies that have defied their violent communal history to preserve and strengthen intercommunity relations.

This project will foster learning from Indian and Australian experiences. For instance, Banaras, the ancient holy city in India having witnessed communal riots in 1972, 1978, 1989 and 1990, has emerged as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim understanding and resilience. This makes a fascinating study for Australian academic, civil-society and government stakeholders.

 A majority of the studies in Australia have focussed on the structural factors – historical/political discourses, and legal/institutional/administrative frameworks in deconstructing the multicultural debate, but largely ignored popular narratives, intercommunity experiences, community initiatives and demographic distribution (alternative approach).