By TwoCircles.net, Staff Reporter
New Delhi: In the backdrop of the growing communal incidents across India, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s nationwide campaign for peace and humanity witnessed leaders and intellectuals from different religions coming together on one stage to campaign for establishment of peace and humanity in the society.
While speaking at the inaugural session of Jamaat’s 15 day nationwide campaign from August 21 to September 4, Ram Puniyani, an eminent social activist and writer has emphasised upon the worsening situation.
“Communalism of all religious groups is bad. Today communalism of Hindus calls itself nationalism. Gau Raksha is a political tool, supporting the campaign. Today lots of wrong things are being spread against Muslims and Christians. Therefore, common people need to be approached in order to remove their misunderstandings,” said Puniyani in his speech.
Kastur Muni, patron of Vishwa Ahimsa Sangh which was representing the Jain community, said, “Our thoughts and words should not trouble others, they in fact should please us and others.”
Dr John Dayal, Secretary-General of the All India Christian Council made it clear that minorities are not seeking unity against Hindus.
“There is no default religion of India, but what happens at the launch of a war plane or a government project, is open for all to see.”
He further stressed to revive spirit of Constitution of India. “There is a need to revive spirit of Constitution. We want rights of equality. There is no difference between my patriotism and your patriotism,” he said referring to incidents where saffron groups and leaders have questioned patriotism of Muslims and Christians.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Syed Sadatullah Hussain, vice president of Jamaat and national convener of the campaign, said, “Some forces want to divide the society. They actually want to push the society to a civil war. This is dangerous indications and all people who believe in peace and humanity must stand up to save the society and the country.”
Navaid Hamid, national president of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, strongly criticised Sangh ideology and said, “Until and unless this ideology is crushed, peace can’t be established in the society.”
He also criticised the upcoming New Education Policy formulated by the current BJP-led NDA government.
Magsaysay awardee and eminent social activist Dr Sandeep Pandey highlighted the division in the society in Gujarat post 2002 riots. “One partition took place in 1947 but the second one has now taken place in Gujarat – where Hindu areas have no Muslim resident and Muslim areas have no Hindu resident.”
He called for an urgent need to promote co-habitation where all should reside together.
“They are creating walls in minds. Efforts are being made to divide us and incite violence.” he added.
Ayodhya saint and peace activist Yugal Kishore Shastri also spoke on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Maulana Syed Jalauddin Umari, the President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in his presidential address emphasized upon peace and security as an essential condition for the people of nation to prosper and for India to forge on the path of development.
“Our nation of 1.25 billion people is the largest democracy in the world. India is home to people belonging to all major religions of the world. This unique diversity is also its core strength. As despite the differences in language, race and religion, the thread of humanity binds all the countrymen together,” he said.
Lashing out at communal and fascist forces, Maulana Syed Jalauddin Umari said, “it is a matter of grave concern that some extremist ideologies propounded by communal and fascist forces are quickly gaining ground in society. Some opportunist elements are trying hard to disrupt our age-old social fabric for their own petty political, financial and cultural gains,” he added.