Inter-Religious Dialogue on Peace and Communal Harmony
While India in on a trajectory of progress and the country together has achieved the unachievable, yet it has to effectively work on the ground level to bridge the differences among its citizens. It has become the first country to land south of moon, and fourth on the moon itself. However, divide among the citizens and the communities is widened due to certain elements who are disrupting the peace and tranquility of the nation for their own good. Incidences of deadly communal violence that occurred in the recent past all around the country had pushed the peace behind.
India is a land of diverse religions. It has set an example of unity in diversity as people of different castes and religions live in harmony in the country. However, this harmony is disturbed many a times by different religious groups and communities. India is a multi-religious and multi-lingual land.
Communal Harmony is necessary for every nation. Only if there is peace and harmony in the country, can it grow. India is known to maintain communal harmony even as people of different religions and castes reside here. It is known for its secular ways. The state does not follow any official religion. It gives its citizens the freedom to choose their religion and change it at any time. Strict action is taken against individuals or groups who try to tamper with the communal harmony of the country.
The latest communal violence come against a broader rise in hate crimes against certain groups. The Diocesan Board of Social Services from its inception worked towards peace and harmony among the communities through its various program for the downtrodden, people in need, without any discrimination and supporting people of all caste and creeds. But the recent events in the country as much as it shook the nation it also disturbed the DBSS which gave impetus to the office bearers to put in efforts for the inter-faith dialogue for peace and harmony..
In one of its kind programs DBSS organised “Inter-religion Dialogue on Peace and Communal Harmony” on 22nd August 2023 at the Constitution Club situated at the heart of City. The event was graced by the Chief Guest Rt. Revd. Dr. Paul Swarup, Bishop of Delhi, Diocese of Delhi, Church of North India, Delhi. The program was attended by other esteemed speakers and guests from different religions, Shahi Imam of Shahi Fatehpuri Mosque Mufti Mukkaram Ahmed, Peethadhieshwar of the Kalki Peeth Acharya Pramod Krishnam, and the representative from the Sikh community Mr. Than Singh Josh.
In his address to the people Bishop Paul quoted from the Bible and urged the people to take care of one another irrespective of creed. People applauded the bishop several times for his inspiring message.
The program started with the street play by a group of social workers from the Department of Social Work of Delhi Brotherhood Society. The play was hilarious and through its humour they gave a strong message to the people to maintain peace and harmony among themselves if they want every citizen and the communities to progress and live in harmony.
The street play was followed by the Oath taking ceremony wherein all the participants and dignitaries present took an Oath to maintain peace, unity among the communities and harmony in the country at all times.
The religious heads spoke about India’s unity in diversity and it’s multi -religion secular fabric and how it is preserved by our predecessors’. They discussed the ways and methods to uphold and protect the country’s sovereignty and integrity, Acharya Pramod Krishnam, while speaking on the subject, said that in Sanatan Dharm to kill an ant is a sin, then why this wide spread violence is happening in our country? he questioned further. He said that this is a well-conceived conspiracy and we have to together work towards to end this and maintain love, unity and brotherhood among each other.
Mufti Dr Mukkaram Ahmed said we all are child of one God and we should maintain harmony among the different religion of our nation- Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. He praised the fabric of our country and condemned the forces behind the brutal violence which is creating an environment of fear among the minds of the citizens.
Sardar Than Singh urged the Government to refrain from the hate speech mongers and maintain peace and order among the people. He emphasized on the maintenance of peace and tranquility to be maintained at all times.
The esteemed speakers also talked about the Chandrayan-3 and prayed for its success for the country’s pride.
Fr. Monodeep Daniel gave the valedictory speech and present the essence of the Inter-religion Dialogue among the religious heads in a very simple and easy language for all to understand and imbibe in their behavious. The program was convened by Fr. Solomon George the Convenor, Diocesan Board of Social Service, Delhi.
The program was successful one it discussed about the harmony and oneness of all religion. It also to brought participants from different religion to the program to keep their views in front of the audience.
The Program was widely covered by print and social media and created awareness among the masses. It was covered by all major papers Navbharat Times, Veer Arjun, and Dainik Jagran.
The program ended with the dinner for all the participants and dignitaries.
