India’s tradition of coexistence can help bridge global divisions, says LG at interfaith dialogue

Srinagar, June 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said India’s civilizational ethos of mutual respect, coexistence and harmony among diverse faiths offers valuable lessons for a world increasingly affected by conflict, intolerance and social divisions.

Addressing an Interfaith Dialogue programme organised by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language and the Inter-Faith Harmony Foundation of India in Srinagar, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted India’s long tradition of accommodating different religions and cultures.

He said Hinduism, or Sanatana Dharma, which he described as the world’s oldest living religion, has historically embraced diversity and coexistence rather than imposing itself on others. According to Sinha, ancient India provided an environment in which religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Zoroastrianism were able to flourish.

The Lieutenant Governor said the principles of Sanatana Dharma and Indian philosophy could serve as a guiding force in addressing contemporary global challenges. He observed that while the world remains divided by religion, language and race, Indian philosophical traditions offer a framework for fostering unity and mutual understanding.

Describing India as a “living idea,” Sinha said the country’s civilizational vision promotes the concept of humanity living together as one family. He urged younger generations to carry forward this message and demonstrate that peace can be achieved through respect for different beliefs and traditions.

Referring to the concept of “Bhartiyata” or “Indianness,” he said it embodies values such as equal respect for all religions, the pursuit of truth, unity in diversity and the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). He noted that India’s ancient knowledge traditions, reflected in the Vedas and Upanishads, advocate harmonious coexistence among people of different faiths.

The Lieutenant Governor said India’s historical approach has viewed diversity as a source of strength rather than division. He added that this outlook is reflected in Jammu & Kashmir, where traditions of harmony and coexistence have long been part of the region’s social fabric.

Sinha also linked the idea of “Kashmiriyat” to the broader ethos of “Bhartiyata,” stating that both are rooted in respect for different religions, cultures and traditions.

Speaking about the arrival of Islam in India, he said Sufi saints and Islamic scholars who came to the subcontinent encountered a culture founded on spirituality, compassion and coexistence. He noted that exchanges between different traditions contributed to the translation of Sanskrit texts into Arabic and enriched intellectual and cultural interactions.

The Lieutenant Governor said India’s spiritual traditions have consistently advocated the welfare of all humanity and emphasized that the country has never required individuals to abandon their faiths, but rather encouraged different communities to live together in harmony while preserving their religious identities.

Among those present on the occasion were Karan Singh, Nilofer Khan, Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed, Md. Shams Equbal, Jyotsna Singh, Nasreen Shama, Fida Firdous, Navaid ul Islam Khan, senior officials, literary personalities and members of civil society.