Religious intolerance: Obama quoting Gandhi is a wake-up call for all of us
Read the counter view here: Why Obama's remarks may not target the ruling BJP
If there is one important aspect of the Indian culture by which the great Indian culture can be defined, it can safely but proudly be described is its vast diversity. In no other country in the world, do we find people of such diverse cultures and sub-cultures; languages; religions; ethnicities; and even races as in India. By all standards, it is a unique country on this front; never mind about our other ills. If there would be a Nobel Prize for diversity of cultures, India would bag it every year.
The famous and now oft quoted thought of Mahatma Gandhi, which was recently used by President Obama in his speech at Siri Fort auditorium in Delhi, speaks volumes about the beauty and richness, particularly of different religions in the world. The Mahatma’s profound belief was, “For me different religions are beautiful flowers from the same garden or they are branches of the same majestic tree”.
Yet, haven’t we heard it said umpteen times that religion has been the cause of the largest numbers of wars in the world? But, on the other hand, is it also not true that yet greater number of works of charity or humanitarian services or indeed peace-building initiatives have been rendered and undertaken in the name of religion or by religious individuals?
Despite such acts of compassion carried out in the name of religion, we are witnessing incidents reflective of increasing religious intolerance. Though the numbers of such individuals is still small as compared to those who do live in peace and harmony with one another, regardless of one’s faith, abuse of religion is on the rise.
The United Nations General Assembly, in a resolution adopted on October 20, 2010, proposed first week in the month of February as the “World Interfaith Harmony Week.” In its resolution declaring the week as interfaith harmony week, it said, “(UN) encourages all states (countries) to support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week, based on love of God and love of one’s neighbour or on love of the good and love of one’s neighbour, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions”.
It is believed that Jordan’s Prince Ghazi had presented the resolution to the General Assembly saying, “Our world is rife with religious tension and, sadly, mistrust, dislike and hatred. The misuse or abuse of religions can thus be a cause of world strife, whereas religions should be a great foundation for facilitating world peace.” That week is being observed now, between February 3rd and 9th.
As a staunch supporter of inter-religious dialogue and harmony for over three decades now, I can say with a certain degree of confidence that there are more people involved in this noble mission than those keen on dividing people on the basis of religion. Unfortunately, the voices of this minority section who know little of their own religion are heard louder than others’. When we actually begin to inter-mingle with people of other faiths, we find how similar they are to us as human beings and how much we share in common. So let us celebrate our diversity as much as we celebrate a garden full of variety of flowers and plants.