Headlines
Religious coexistence needs strengthening
New Delhi, June 7
Highlighting challenges
faced by Indian democracy because of growing fundamentalism, speakers at
a seminar here have emphasised the need to consolidate the complete
culture and diversity of India.
Religions need to be understood
and promoted through their core values of compassion, mercy, charity,
peace and harmony rather than customs, traditions and rituals, it was
stressed at the seminar on "Religious Tolerance: Need of the Hour"
organised by Sanatan Sanskriti Sansthan here on Saturday.
The
speakers included former union minister Arif Mohammad Khan, member of
the Delhi Minority Commission H.S. Sarna and eminent journalist John
Dayal.
Khan said religion was a matter of conviction and only
when it is used as a profession does its core values get distorted and
misinterpreted. Quoting various verses from the Quran, he said Islam
does not distinguish between religions or communities and conveys the
message of universal love and service. "Unfortunately, religion is being
use by politicians and those socially powerful to perpetuate their
power."
Sarna also highlighted the universal message of peace,
harmony and equality among all in all religions. He quoted from the Guru
Granth Sahib to stress the importance of dialogue and talk to achieve
consensus and harmony among different faiths.
John Dayal said
religion has to be a personal affair of each and state should not
distinguish between one and another on that basis. Every Indian has an
equal right to be a dignified citizen irrespective of his or her belief.
He hoped that present environment of polarisation will not continue and
future generations will live in an atmosphere of equality and dignity
for all.
Jagjiwan Bakhshi, general secretary of the Sanatan
Sanskriti Sansthan said the seminar was organised to highlight the
challenges being faced by Indian democracy through growing
fundamentalism. These were not only negation of pluralism but also
opposed to the processes of development and modernity, he added.