TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
“India is a pluralist society that creates magic with democracy, rule of law and individual freedom, community relations and [cultural] diversity.”
With these words, Students Islamic Organization of India (SIO) Karnataka wing has launched its yearlong campaign on the theme ‘Many religions one India’.
At a gathering with guests Veerabhadhra Chennamalla Swamy, Nidumamidi Mutt; Rev. Manohar Chandra Prasad, Pastor, CSI Church; S. Parab Joth Singh Bali, President, Gurudwara Bangalore; Maulana Maqsooq Imran Rashadi, Imam-Khatheeb City Jamia Masjid; K. M Ashraf, State Secretary JIH Karnataka and Mohammed Rafeeq, President, SIO Karnataka, on May 2, 2017 at Press Club, Bengaluru, statement was passed that it is high time that we pledge to safe guard the idea of India. This requires us to unite as a nation in spite of our inherent diversity.
“Sense of Belonging comes through the experiences of justice, brotherhood and equality of opportunities. As our beloved nation marches ahead, let us realize that we are human beings first,” said the statement.
It further read as, “Let our conviction be a humane society with justice as its soul and let our actions be emblem of mercy, forgiveness, brotherhood & sustainable co-existence. Our tomorrows cannot be complacent repeats of our yesterdays, not anymore, but rather creations of our knowledge & learning, our convictions & proof of our humanitarian instincts.”
Let us realize that our constitution provides equal rights to 80% majority and 20 % minority and together we form a Republic. Let us join hands to strengthen the bond of unity.
Statement reads from the declaration of independence ,“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Owing to some socio-political developments, this magnificent diversity appears to be endangered. Mindless nationalism, non-understanding of the value of democracy, erratic media, prejudice, declining space for debate & dissent, ideological chauvinism and cultural dogmatism, has resulted in our discourse hitting the abyss and becoming grotesque.
With communalization getting institutionalized, communal riots have increased and lynching seems to be a new norm. The components of justice, equality & tolerance are absent from our present body politic.
In the backdrop of these developments oppressed and marginalized communities continue to feel further marginalized & excluded. Reconfigured & re-reutilized current political vocabulary has the tendency to pit an Indian against an Indian, until the last election is won.
The joint statement further said , “Spread of abuse and circulation of hateful content has resulted in brutal and violent riots between communities who once lived peacefully as neighbors, resulting in loss of precious human lives as well as damage to economy and to property both public as well as individual.”
The campaign is organized in order to create a wave of peace and brotherhood in this country. Various activities and programs like, street plays, dramas, film shows, seminars and conferences will be organized throughout this campaign.