LG Sinha highlights India’s legacy of religious harmony at Interfaith Dialogue

Amid growing global conflicts and religious intolerance, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said India’s ancient philosophical traditions can serve as a guiding light for the world by promoting peace, dialogue and respect among diverse faiths. Addressing an Interfaith Dialogue in Srinagar, he highlighted the country’s civilisational commitment to coexistence and harmony. The Interfaith Dialogue was organised by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language and the Inter-Faith Harmony Foundation of India.

The Lieutenant Governor highlighted India’s legacy as an ancient civilisation rooted in mutual respect, where diverse faiths coexist, flourish, and teach the world the wisdom of peace.

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“The world recognises that Sanatana Dharma, the world’s oldest living religion, never imposed itself. Instead, it embraced diversity and coexistence. Ancient India built a foundation of respect, giving Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Zoroastrianism freedom to flourish.

In a world facing conflicts and intolerance, the core spirit of Sanatana Dharma and Indian philosophy can serve as a guiding light. Today, the world may be divided by religion, language, and race, but Indian thought has the unique power to bridge these divides,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor said that India is a living idea that declares humanity should live together as one family. He said the young generation must carry this vision forward, reminding the world that peace is possible through mutual respect.

People often use the word ‘Kashmiriyat’, which actually springs from the philosophy of ‘Indianness’- ‘Bhartiyata’ and symbolises the fundamental sentiment India has taught the world since the Vedic age, equal respect for all religions, cultures, and traditions,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He stated that when Islam came to India in the 12th and 13th centuries, and many Sufi saints and Islamic scholars came here, they found a unique Indian culture rooted in love, spirituality, compassion, and equality.

“Sufi saints were inspired by the vision of the Vedas, Upanishads, Buddhism, and Jainism, and they learnt the ideals of coexistence from Indian scriptures. Moreover, numerous repositories of Sanskrit knowledge were translated into Arabic. Our ancestors prayed, “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaḥ, Sarve Santu Niramayaḥ” – may all be happy, may all be free from illness. This prayer is not for one religion or sect, but for the welfare of all humanity. I believe this is India’s identity.

India and its ancient philosophy have never told anyone to abandon their faith. India has always said to the people to bring your faith with you, bring your traditions, and live with us in harmony. That is India’s distinctiveness. That is the greatness of the Indian spiritual tradition,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Dr Karan Singh was present at the function, among others.