Matters India reporter
Darjeeling: An inter-faith group in Darjeeling has shown the way to harmonious and peaceful living among members of all religious beliefs amid news of rising incidents of religious intolerance.
The Darjeeling Inter faith group on December 17 held a two hour session on the theme “Peace and Harmony in the Religion.” The group was formed in 2005 under the leadership of Father George Thadathil, principal of Salesian College Sonada who is also secretary of Darjeeling Diocesan Commission for Inter-faith dialogue
The session held three days after 30 seminarians and 10 priests were detained for singing carols. Six people, including a Catholic priest, were arrested and later released on bail for allegedly converting a villager.
On December 16, Hindu Jagran Manch (Hindu vigilant forum) served notices to Christians schools in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh state, not to hold traditional Christmas celebrations or face serious consequences.
The Darjeeling meeting was held at a Buddhist place – Dharma Chakra Committee Hall — in Central Plaza from 2 pm.
Some100 plus inter-faith enthusiasts turned up for the program despite the unusually cold weather.
“After two rounds of core-committee meeting, this is the first time that we have invited teachers from various schools and colleges to listen to experts from various faith communities to listen to their reflections on peace and harmony from their particular religious perspectives,” said Father Thadathil commenting on the composition of the group.
Lama Pemba Tshering of Dali Monastery welcomed the gathering which included representatives of Hindu, Jain, Muslim, Buddhist, Sai Bhakts, Brahma Kumars and Christian religious groups.
He reminded all about the existing tradition of fellowship and religious harmony in the hills which has a strong inter faith bond across religious and social practices. This is all the more true during death when people of all faiths come to pay respects to the deceased and offer khadas (white scarfs).
One of the founding members of the group Prof. Irshad Ghulam Ahmed of Sikkim Central University insisted that inter-faith meets will promote “right knowledge” to dispel ignorance about others in today’s society.
He warned the group not to depend on “media hijacked by politicians as sole source of knowledge.”
Sai Samity representative T R Sharma asserted schools and teachers should instill religious harmony and tolerance in students as part of value education.
Lama Pemba Tshering recalled the words of Pope Francis saying “What unites us is not religion, but humanity, love and goodness.”
Cathedral parish priest Father Samuel Lepcha insisted that “only seeking truth through dialogue among religions can bring peace and harmony.”
Brahma Kumar Devraj underlined the need for people to be “non-judgmental, as essential requirement for peace.” He also warned “religion and politics should not poison the minds of people.”
Anurag Agarwal, representing the business community of Darjeeling, recalled his childhood days when children in the locality from diverse backgrounds played together.
The participants from the floor appreciated the venture and called on concerted action to carry forward the message to the wider society.
Bishop Stephen Lepcha of Darjeeling, the chairman of the Inter-Faith Dialogue commission, thanked the local organizers and participants for their committed participation and friendly atmosphere.