STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said that terrorism exported by the neighbouring country is being witnessed as one of the new threats to peace.
“We are dealing with threat of terrorism firmly and confident of rooting out this menace from our soil, the Lt Governor said while addressing the Message of Humanity Conference organised by Dogra Sadar Sabha, J&K.
The Conference was presided over by Governor of Kerala, Arif Mohammed Khan.
Kerala Guv hits out at those instrumental in eruption of terrorism, separatism
Jammu: Kashmir is the crown of India, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan said on Thursday and hit out at those instrumental in the eruption of separatism and terrorism in the Valley.
He also hit out at separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and claimed that his ancestors had come to Kashmir after being forced out of their homes in Central Asia.
“After coming here (Kashmir) from Gilan (Iran), you (Geelani) wanted to disintegrate India into pieces (by engineering separatism and terrorism in J-K). He (Geelani) had come from Gilan (Iran). He was a Gilan national (not a Kashmiri),” Khan said at a function here.
“Your (Geelani’s) name says that you have come from outside India,” he said.
Khan said that nobody leaves his home unless there is a threat to his life. “There were atrocities against the family of Prophet Mohammad and his followers, forcing them to leave their homes,” he added. He said they (ancestors of Syed Ali Geelani) escaped from Gilan to save their lives.
“Please tell me what relation he (Geelani) has with Srinagar (Kashmir)?” Khan questioned.
“As per historic texts, they came to Iran and then to Central Asia, where they heard that those people who belong to the family of the Prophet are treated with great respect. That is why they are in majority in India,” he said.
Syed Ali Geelani, who died in 2021, was a hardliner and pro-Pakistan separatist leader. He is regarded as the father of Kashmir separatism. He was also a member of Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir between 1953 and 2004.
“Kashmir is the crown of India and nobody can disintegrate it from India,” Khan said, adding India is not a piece of land but a strong thought, which cannot be disintegrated.
Khan spoke elaborately on the message of different religions. He said Secularism has been a core characteristic of India society since ages and organisations like Dogra Sadar Sabha represent the inherent values and traditions of our ancient Indian culture.
Prosperity and growth require unity and oneness. Our nation is home to unity in diversity and it has always welcomed every religion that ever came to this land. Many prominent religions have their deep connections with this land about which many people do not know, he added.
Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas aur Sabka Vishwas’ as a vibrant mantra, he said there is a need to arm everyone with knowledge to ensure development.
The Lt Governor said that the convention provided a unique platform to spread the eternal and universal message of peace, social equality and communal harmony; aptly echoing the belief of all humanistic thinkers around the world.
We are the inheritors of a great civilisation that has always believed in world peace and universal brotherhood. Thinkers and individuals must take advantage of the immense moral force of the two and contribute to create an inclusive ecosystem for the society, he said.
Noting that social development and aspirations of people can be fulfilled only in conditions of peace, the Lt Governor said every segment of society must realize the futility of conflict and utility of peace, harmony and brotherhood.
As India has assumed G20 Presidency for the next one year, the message of peace, friendship and cooperation enshrined in our cultural heritage should become the guiding principle for the world, said the Lt Governor
Earlier, Prominent religious scholars from different religions, including Padma Shri Vishwamurti Shastri, Moulana Shahzad Azam Anwari Qasmi, President SGPC, S Ranjit Singh and Fr.Lawrence Tharsis, spoke about the message of fraternity and love as taught by all religions which need to be instilled in the hearts of younger generations.
Thakur Gulchain Singh Charak, President Dogra Sadar Sabha, in his welcome address threw light on the foundation of Dogra Sadar Sabha and the vision behind organising the conference on “Message of Humanity”.
Office bearers and senior member of Dogra Sadar Sabha, and prominent personalities of society and large gathering of people from all walks of life were present on the occasion.
