Bhikhu Chhotalal Parekh entered the House of Lords as a life peer on 10 May 2000, representing the Labour Party. Born in 1935 in the village of Amalsad, India, he transitioned from early academic pursuits in Bombay to becoming a influential voice in British political theory, focused extensively on multiculturalism and the history of political thought.
Academic Trajectory
Parekh began his higher education at the University of Bombay, completing a bachelor's degree in 1954 and a Master's degree in 1956. He moved to the United Kingdom to pursue graduate studies at the London School of Economics, earning a PhD in 1966. His career included teaching positions at the London School of Economics and the University of Glasgow. He held a long-term position as Professor of Political Theory at the University of Hull from 1982 to 2001. Subsequently, he served as a professor of political philosophy at the University of Westminster between 2001 and 2009. He also served as Vice-Chancellor at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in India from 1981 to 1984.
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Much of his work has centered on racial equality and the governance of multi-ethnic societies. He was a member of the Commission for Racial Equality and served as the Chairman of the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain from 1998 to 2000. The final document produced by this commission became a primary reference point for British policy debates regarding multiculturalism in the early 21st century. Beyond his work in the House of Lords, he served on the Joint Committee on Human Rights from 2001 to 2003.
Publications and Intellectual Contributions
Parekh has written extensively on political ideology and the thought of historical figures. His notable publications include Bentham's Political Thought, Marx's Theory of Ideology, and a critical examination titled Gandhi's Political Philosophy. He also explored themes of identity and intercultural dialogue in works such as Rethinking Multiculturalism, A New Politics of Identity, and European Liberalism and 'the Muslim Question'. His scholarly contributions have earned him several distinctions, including his election as a Fellow of the British Academy, and he has received numerous honorary doctorates from institutions such as the University of Essex, the University of Hull, Nottingham Trent University, Edge Hill University, and the University of Bristol.
Fast facts
- Born: 1935, Amalsad, India
- Title: Baron Parekh
- Party: Labour Party
- Appointed to House of Lords: 10 May 2000
- Notable Award: Padma Bhushan (2007)
- Professional Fellowship: Fellow of the British Academy
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
Questions readers ask
What is the Parekh Report?
It is the 2000 report produced by the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain, which Parekh chaired, that served as a catalyst for discussions on multiculturalism in the UK.
Which academic institutions did he serve?
He held positions at the London School of Economics, the University of Hull, the University of Westminster, and Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.
Achievements
- Fellow of the British Academy
- Held posts at London School of Economics and Political Science and University of Hull
