STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Describing secularism as key to national integration in a diverse and pluralistic country like India, National Conference Additional General Secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra on Saturday said that inclusivity stands as the cornerstone of fostering harmony and unity among citizens of various beliefs and backgrounds. Interacting with people at the Iftar party hosted by Suriya Begum DDC Member at Badori-Smailpur in Samba district, Sadhotra said that secularism serves as a guiding principle, ensuring that every individual is treated equally, irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, or culture, which has remained the guiding philosophy of National Conference.
It underscores the importance of mutual respect and understanding among different religious communities, cultivating a sense of inclusivity and tolerance within society, he said, adding that all efforts must be made to strengthen the secular fabric of the region like Jammu and Kashmir, which has a glorious pluralistic ethos.
“Jammu and Kashmir has all along fought the forces which have been trying to create communal disharmony or promote divisiveness”, Sadhotra said and added that the land of Sufis and saints has all along played a crucial role as a unifier and shown political will in maintaining high traditions of amity and brotherhood, even during most testing times.
He exuded confidence that the people at large will appreciate the importance of coming together for harmonious growth.
“The youth have an important role in becoming the catalysts of change. The first and foremost challenge would be to pursue the agenda of inclusivity single-mindedly and at the same time forging amity between various regions, sub-regions and communities of J&K which has to be ensured at all costs”, he maintained.
Cautioning against the machinations of elements inimical to inclusiveness, Sadhotra said the people under the banner of National Conference will foil all their attempts to divide the society.
He greeted the people on the holy month of Ramadan and prayed for peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Ram Paul Former Minister Zonal President Jammu (Central), Qazi Jalal Din Ex-MLA, Pardeep Kumar Bali Provincial Secretary, Mohd Ayub Malik Provincial Secretary, Satwant Kour Dogra Provincial President Women Wing, Luxmi Dutta Former Provincial President Women Wing, Madhu Charak Ex-Sarpanch, Shehnaz Begum Ex-Sarpanch, Chowdhary Showket, Engineer Khurshid Ahmed Chowdhary (Mahore), Gurnam Singh, Swaran Singh Block President, Chander Udhay Singh, Dr Harmesh Singh Salathia, Ravinder Singh Salathia.
