'Need to see religion through core values of peace, harmony'

New Delhi: Expressing concern over the misuse of religion by "vested interests", participants at a seminar here said that the different faiths need to be understood and practised in terms of their core values of compassion and mercy, peace and harmony.

"Religion is a matter of conviction. When it is used as a profession, its core values are distorted and misinterpreted.

"At present, vested interests are giving importance to profession, not to religion," former Union Minister Arif Mohd Khan said at a seminar on 'Religious Tolerance: Need of the Hour' organised here by Sanatan Sanskriti Sansthan.

Pointing to the culture and diversity of India, he said, "Islam does not distinguish between religions or communities and conveys the message of universal love and service.

"Unfortunately, religion is being use by politicians and the socially powerful to perpetuate their power."

Khan added that if we were to refuse to accept the "religion-specific outlook", we will no longer need any "middle men".

John Dayal, Member of the National Integration Council of India, said, "Religion has to be a personal affair of an individual and the state should not discriminate on that basis. Every Indian has an equal right to be a dignified citizen irrespective of his or her religious belief."

He hoped that future generations would not have to contend with any kind of polarisation and be able to live in an atmosphere of equality and dignity for all.

Harvinder Sarna, Member of Delhi Minority Commission, too, highlighted the message of universal peace, harmony and equality.

He quoted from Guru Granth Sahib to stress upon the importance of dialogue and talks to achieve consensus and harmony among the various religions.

Jagjiwan Bakhshi, General Secretary of Sanatan Sanskriti Sansthan, said that Indian democracy is facing challenges from growing fundamentalism.

"These are not only negation of pluralism, but also opposed to the processes of development and modernity," he said.