Mysuru Minister Yathindra Says Gandhi’s Values Are Key to Communal Harmony

Gandhian values key to peace and communal harmony: Minister

Peace and communal harmony can be ensured only when people imbibe Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of truth, non-violence and equal respect for all religions in their lives, Minister in-charge of Mysuru district Yathindra Siddaramaiah said.

He was speaking at a prayer meeting organised to mark Gandhi Jayanti at the Town Hall.

Dr. Yathindra said all religions lead to the same God and could be compared to rivers flowing into the same ocean.

He said society should not be divided by feelings of superiority or inferiority on the basis of religion.

Constitution and Gandhi’s message

Dr. Yathindra said the Constitution guaranteed every individual the right to live according to their faith and beliefs.

“Everyone should be able to live in peace and harmony in society,” he said.

His remarks connected the constitutional protection of faith and belief with the need for people to respect one another in their daily lives.

Referring to conflicts and wars across the world, he said Gandhi’s philosophy and principles offered a path towards addressing violence, unrest and discord.

The minister’s message placed truth, non-violence and equal respect for all religions at the centre of efforts to respond to such tensions.

Narasimharaja MLA Tanveer Sait said Gandhi’s principles and ideals, which helped India achieve freedom through non-violence, continued to remain relevant.

He said people should cultivate patience, tolerance and a language of love in their daily lives.

Mr. Sait urged young people and students to study Gandhi’s life and thoughts and make efforts to incorporate them into their daily lives.

Interfaith prayer and civic recognition

Representatives of different religions participated in the programme and conducted an interfaith prayer.

The programme also included recognition for students who took part in an essay competition organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations to mark Gandhi Jayanti.

Dr. Yathindra distributed prizes to the winners of the competition.

Safety kits were also distributed to pourakarmikas involved in maintaining cleanliness in the city.

MLA K. Harish Gowda, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy, Zilla Panchayat CEO Yukesh Kumar and City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar were present.

Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savita, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Public Relations Vinod Chandra and Assistant Director Nirmala S.H. were also present.

Others also attended the programme.

Source: The Hindu