(NATIONALITY: BASIS FOR INTERFAITH HARMONY)

Institute of Harmony and Peace Studies, New Delhi, in collaboration with Ram Krishna Mission, New Delhi, organized a Round Table Discussion of Religious Heads from diverse religious communities at Ram Krishna Mission, New Delhi, on 25 January 2017. The theme of the discussion was ‘Raashtreeytaa: Sarv Dharm Samanvay Kaa Aadhaar’ (Nationality: Basis for Interfaith Harmony). The Discussion was moderated by Fr Dr M. D. Thomas, Founder Chairman and Director, Institute of Harmony and Peace Studies, New Delhi.

Swami Shantatmananda, Swami Goswami Sushil Maharaj, Swami Sarvanand Saraswati, Brahmakumaris Sister Laxmi, Imam Umair Ilyasi, Maulana Iqbal Mulla, Sufi Syed Ajmal Nizami, Acharya Lokesh Muni, Sadhvi Guruchhaya, Bhikshu Kabir Saxena, Fr Felix, and Fr Dr M. D. Thomas were participants of the discussion. Assistants of a few religious heads were present then, as well.

Swami Shantatmananda, Head, Ram Krishna Mission, New Delhi, and host of the programme welcomed religious leaders present at the discussion. He said that though there may be differences of opinion among people onthe basis of religion, nationality is the core reality that can unite all citizens into one fold. The country has lot of problems, like illiteracy, poverty, corruption, etc. Religious Heads have to play a major role in resolving these problems. They need to come together to move our country forward in a new direction.

Fr Dr M. D. Thomas, the chief organizer and moderator of the discussion, while presenting the theme of the discussion, highlighted the context of confusion in the country as regards patriotism and nationality. He said that the documents of identity, like passport, pan, aadhaar, driving licence and credit cards, affirm the nationality of all Indians beyond dispute. Democracy asserts the importance of Indians of all affiliations, too. Besides, Constitution of the country is the holy book of all citizens. The main cultural traditions of the country are the shared heritage of all streams of people, as well. Therefore, nationality is the common foundation for all citizens in India, irrespective of religious and other persuasions.

Dr Thomas further stated that citizens belong to each other and together they belong to the nation. As all communities have contributed to the making of this country, so also should all of them join hands to make it more harmonious. 'Vasudhaivkutumbakam' means making a family out of the nation, without discriminating any group on the basis of religion, language, caste, gender, and the like. It is up to the religious leaders to remain firmly grounded in the moral fibre of nationality and shoulder the responsibility of making a nation that is non-discriminative, united, interactive, collaborative and harmonious.

Imam Umair Ilyasi, President, All India Organisations of Imams of Mosques, New Delhi, said that interfaith harmony has to be the most vital component of the present day times. It is necessary for religious headsto innovate ways and means to make national unity and solidarity the basic commitment to life. 'Being Indian' gives true identity to all citizens. Belonging to a certain religion or group comes second. Working towards an integrated and strong nation as well as strengthening the spirit of brotherhood among people of all religions is, in fact, the real worship of the divine.

Bhikshu Kabir Saxena, Director, Maitreya Buddha Project, Kushinagar, asserted that nationalism, especially of late, is highly polluted and seems to tend to a high pitch of negativity, even world over. Nationality, as the true spirit of collective belonging to the same nation, has to be protected from the divisive elements that are raging in nationalistic forces. Human being and human values have to be the right focus of nationality and a global outlook will give a larger meaning to nationality within the country, as well.

Acharya Lokesh Muni, President, Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati, New Delhi, emphasized that bringing all religions together is a matter of crucial importance to the entire world. But, because of the blatant disparity between theory and practice, the result of multi-faith unity is not very much reflected on the ground. An influential 'forum' that can negotiate with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders of the nation is the critical need of the hour. Such a step will certainly be in favour of the human society as well.

Swami Goswami Sushil Maharaj, Head, Maharshi Bhrigu Foundation, Noida, called the attention of the gathering that religious heads of different organizations attempt interfaith harmony separately and advance the interests of certain individuals or communities. Therefore, those attempts do not contribute to advancing national unity. Those in the proposed forum should stand transparently united and make a focussed movement out of the efforts, like that of Anna Hazare. Such a 'shared leadership' should clearly be geared towards the religion of humanity as well as nationality.

Maulana Iqbal Mulla, National Secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, New Delhi, underlined the fact that India is a multi-faceted and large collection of religions, languages and cultures, singularly so. It is the second largest population of the world, too. Maintaining unity in India is not just the job of political leaders, but of religious leaders, perhaps more so. Instead of blaming religion for all the ills of the society, values of religions ought to be identified and disseminated. The forum has to be a non-political platform to interact with even those who have 'different views'. Involving 'young people' and taking the media into confidence are very important, as well.

Sister Laxmi, Head, Brahmakumaris, Keshavpurm, New Delhi, said that to be conscious of having one heavenly Father, to be united with him and to imbibe his qualities are the collective foundation for multi-faith harmony. The human character has to be the core of religious understanding. 'Humanity first and religion second' has to be maxim. In order to make this possible religious leaders have to ensure change in them. The meeting point of the forum has to be that of humanity, which admits no one outside its purview. Only then, we will succeed in uniting the nation and the society.

Fr Felix, Secretary, Commission for Ecumenism and Dialogue, Archdiocese of Delhi, advocated for the transparency of the proposed forum, lest it falls short of its ethical stamina and vigour. Ways and means have to be innovated as to how one could become good human beings. The inter-religious implications of being human have to be invented, in favour of making the platform for harmonizing religions more effective.

Sadhvi Guruchhaya from Acharya Sushil Muni Ashram, New Delhi, affirmed 'being Indian' as the common identity of people of all religious and other persuasions in India. Religious leaders have an inescapable obligation to promote understanding, fellowship and harmony among people of all faiths. Heads, leaders and responsible people should not attempt to increase their tallness by decreasing the tallness of others. The spirit of non-violence and inter-community friendship are necessary for bonding religious communities and thus for strengthening the sense of nationality.

Swami Sarvanand Saraswati, President, International Bhajan Sukh Sewa Mission, New Delhi, invited the attention of those present to the eternal fact that 'the humans are made for each other' and reaching out to the felt moments of others proves the quality of humanity one possesses. When religious leaders live human values in their lives, the sense of being national and social gets reflected in life, simultaneously. He also cautioned that it is the primary duty of genuine religious leaders to expose and corner fake religious heads as well as to stay away from them.

Sufi Syed Ajmal Nizami, Trustee, Nizamudddin Aulia Dargah, New Delhi, insisted that a Sufi saint has essentially to be a key promoter of multi-faith harmony. He portrayed the example of Amir Khusaro and Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, who fought tooth and nail for erasing hate among the people of different communities. Drawing inspiration from Sufi saints in promoting love and peace in the society can go a long way in fostering national solidarity in India, he added.

Concluding the discussion at the first level, Dr Thomas highlighted the major points that emerged from the floor. 1. Launching a multi-faith forum that has humanity as the core focus. 2. Keeping a stern and vigilant watch on disruptive, self-seeking and fake religious figures. 3. Engaging with people who entertain different views. 4. Involving young people in advancing the movement. 4. Fostering human values as a focussed devotion in life. 6. Addressing grass root concerns together. Having showed up these mainstay points, Dr Thomas opened a second round of the discussion and requested the floor to polish up these points.

A few suggestions that were tabled in the second round are the following. 1. The eligibility for being part of the united platform is good will for all religious communities as well as a fairly good grasp of all traditions of faith. 2. The objective of social transformation in the forum has to be preceded by self-transformation at the individual and community level. 3. The focal point of the united platform has to be the religion of nationality. 4. The most major agenda for action of this forum has to be promoting universal human values. 5. The forum from India has to aim at accomplishing the mettle of a world class model.

6. The forum has to possess a bargaining power with stakeholders of the society, governmental and non-governmental. 7. The forum has to obtain the good will of political parties and the media. 8. The forum of religious leaders has to set an example to the society by working together at schemes for the betterment of the society. 9. The forum has to reach the riot spots and facilitate peace processes, on a priority basis. 10. The forum should have an extra commitment to students of religion in different religions, by way of fostering interactive learning among diverse traditions.

The discussion lasted for approximately two hours. Towards the end of the program, Fr Dr Thomas and Swami Shantatmananda thanked the religious leaders and invited them for lunch, sponsored by Ram Krishna Mission. The salient factors in the objective of the discussion were -- 1. Arriving at a shared purpose and solidarity among heads of diverse religions 2. Consolidating a collective and concerted action for building a united, harmonious and progressive nation 3. Leaving behind a shared and motivating heritage for the younger generation, in evolving a family out of the given nation and the society, while being firmly grounded in one's faith. Obviously, the effort and the ensuing insights deserve considerably to be complimented.