Religious leaders from different religions have expressed their great concern and fear about the way forces of hatred and division are attempting to polarize the Indian polity. They have also called on all people of good will to speak up for social harmony, stressing that the country is at risk.
Radiance talked to leaders of different faiths to elicit their opinions on the issue.
Goswami Sushil JiMaharaj
He is the head of the monastery, Maharishi Bhrigu Peeth, and the national convenor of Bhartiya Sarva Dharma Sansad (Indian Parliament of All Religions).
According to him, Hinduism teaches tolerance towards all religions, and India has a culture that accommodates everyone. The growing communal hatred in the country is a matter of grave concern. Believers and religious leaders will have to come forward to check the growing incidents of hate speech.
Asserting that a country cannot be run by hatred but by love and harmony, Goswami said we would work to uphold the fact that India is renowned for its diversity and unity throughout the world.
It is a matter of great concern that India is passing through a critical phase of history as hatred has gone upby leaps and bounds. There is a need to fight the virus of communalism. Today India is at a point where sadbhavna movement is required more than ever. It is a battle to save the soul of the country. India is for everyone, and all are equal citizens. Every citizen has made a contribution to India’s development and progress. Unity in diversity is the hallmark of the country, and because of this attribute, India has earned respectability in the comity of nations.
He asserted that the majority of Hindus do not fall into the trap of communal forces. Referring to the recent bye-election results, particularly in UP’s GhosiAssembly seat, Goswami Ji Maharaj said if all Hindus had been communal then Modi and Yogi would have swept every election after 2019, but they lost many state elections. India belongs to everyone and will always belong to everyone, and all the castes and communities in our country have been living in harmony and brotherhood for centuries.
Calling the religious leaders who have been spreading hatred “criminal and bogus”, he said Hindus do not take them seriously as they know their background and their political connections. They want to spoil the atmosphere of love, but we all must remember that the only cure for hatred is love, and it is the only way with which hatred can be defeated. The country can only be run with love and harmony.
The Sarva Dharma Sansad has vowed to stand against any religious trouble to the countrymen.
Father (Dr.) M.D. Thomas
He is founder and director of the Institute of Harmony and Peace Studies in New Delhi.
Religion per se is oriented toward love, fraternity, and peace. How on earth could it contain hate? That is the pivotal question right in front of us. Being at the service of human beings, it cannot afford to entertain hate towards the other, at any rate. Obviously, it shouldn’t dare it, either.
India is very well-known for being a religious country due to the fact that almost all the major and minor religious traditions of the world are present here. All the same, hatred in the name of religion seems to be very much on a higher pitch in India than in other countries, in the current times in particular.
It is more than obvious that there are several systemic and sporadic instances of hatred for other religious communities, even in public. The hate speeches, the lynchings, the beef controversy, the attacks on religious places, and attempts at ethnic cleansing are proof positive of the syndrome of hatred among communities.
As a result of the ‘hate mania’, there is a ‘shrinking of the social space’ taking place in Indian society. The distance among communities seems to be widening. Prejudices about other communities seem to increase and get deeper-seated. This is definitely not a good sign for peaceful coexistence and harmonious living.
It is true that India is taking a ‘hop, step, and jump’ in the area of technology and development. But India is still on a low rung as regards scientific temper, inclusive thinking, ethical living, and harmonious living as a nation. But if ‘the spirit of harmonious living’ is not built up strongly, development will prove to be worthless, sooner or later.
No wonder these instances defeat the core ethos and ethics of religion. They counterfeit the very purpose of faith in life, too. The best part of religion is the values it professes. Those values have to be translated into action, definitely, lest religion be rendered null and void. The values of religion mandate refraining from hatred towards others.
No doubt, the diverse traditions of faith are ‘gifts of the same Creator’. They are the ‘common cultural heritage of human society’. They are not ‘yours and mine’, but ‘ours’. Therefore, humans have to be aware of their ‘common origin, common existence, and common destiny’. Such a large outlook towards religious traditions will help loving followers of all religions.
Believers of all affiliations have to learn from all traditions of religion. They have to read the sacred scriptures of all religions, at least the main parts. They have to visit places of worship of all religions and try to pray with believers of other faiths. Only a collective approach to God and faith will facilitate sentiments of unity, solidarity, and understanding.
The universal values of all religions have to be imbibed by believers in all religions. The human and divine sentiment of ‘love’ has to be strengthened. Believers of all religions have to be enlightened and empowered to live together in harmony and peace. The brighter future of India is definitely in this line.
Sardar Daya Singh
He is the convener of the All India Peace Mission.
The greatest challenge before the country is mistrust among the communities. That’s the very reason burning issues are being faced time and again, which are eating into its vitality. Alarming degeneration in our public life, wilful ignition of communal fires, and meaningless problems for ulterior gains are a matter of concern for all patriotic citizens. Dharma, which envisages selfless service for the upliftment of the poor and deprived, has become an instrument for spreading hatred and dividing each other, resulting in feuds and massacres of innocent people. This has totally destroyed our presumptions of having an Independent India as a strong nation. Equality and peace are the essence of democracy and secularism, but such pious hopes were belied by recent trends, as seen in Manipur as well as Nuh in Haryana.
The question arises of how to cope with this trend; it is apprehended that if this trend remains, this shall put the country into turmoil. However, I undertook various steps to combat such a situation, e.g., conducting various yatras, holding seminars, and participating in the Jan Sampark Abhiyan. I observed that there is nothing against Sikhs and Muslims except misconceptions created by some vested interests. Dialogue is the only wayout, as the government agencies have also become facilitators but couldn’t combat it. It is up to the people to have regular interaction to stop this mindset.
It is evident Sikhs are the linkage between Hindus and Muslims, as a gurdwara is such a place where Muslims and Hindus have no issue. When the issue of namaz came up in Gurugram (Haryana), Sikhs very conveniently provided the premises to hold namaz. Even recently, when some miscreants intended to target a masjid in Sohna (Gurugram), Sikhs came forward to save the situation.
Guru Nanak rightly observed that dialogue is the only way out of combat.