Religious acceptance better than ‘mere’ tolerance: V-P
Stressing that religious acceptance and not mere tolerance is the bedrock of nation's secularism and composite culture, Vice President Hamid Ansari on Tuesday said it is the government's solemn duty to protect and promote secular values and provide equality of opportunity to all religions. He also called for "vigilance" against forces that "exploit" the nation's diversity in religion, language and culture to divide people. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Ansari said that communalism of the virulent type is a recent growth."The lawlessness is a monster with many faces and it hurts all, in the end, in- cluding those who are primarily responsible for it," Ansari said quoting from the 'Father of the Nation'. "We should be vigilant against such forces that seek to exploit our diversity in religion, language and culture to divide our people, reports PTI.
"We have to remain alert and raise our voice against groups and individuals who use violence in the name of religion. This is the sacred duty of every true Indian," Ansari said speaking at Chisti India Harmony awards function for the year 2015 organized by India Harmony Founda- tion here. He noted that India's constitutional values of secularism and liberty of thought, expression, faith and worship are premised on the existential reality of its society. "India has been home to all great religions of the world. While some were born here, others took root in this ancient land of ours. India has, for centuries, provided a unique social and intellectual environment in which many distinct religions have not only coexisted peacefully but have also enriched each other. "Thus, religious harmony and acceptance, and not mere tolerance, are the bedrock of India's secularism and composite culture. It is the solemn duty of the government to make every possible effort to protect and promote secular values and provide equality of opportunity to all religions," he said.