Culture of Tolerance and Coexistence

We may call it pluralistic, diversified, multiethnic and what not but virtually India is a peace loving country.  However, the recent serial bomb attack on the innocent commuters in Bombay by the terrorists or so called ‘fundamentalists’ has not only distorted the image of  India as a peace loving country but has also put a challenge before its citizen to do away with the fundamentalism and communalism by fighting against its stings.

There have been several such incidents in the recent past.  We can never understand what do the perpetrators of such heinous acts gain by killing innocent people but we should definitely try to understand why it happens.  In India we keep hold of religion like an integral part of our life style which I perceptively agree we should.  But unfortunately, we have not been able to comprehend the humanitarian perspective of religion and tolerance.  As a consequence, when we see the progressive people of other faiths or communities we feel so much threatened and disgusted that ultimately we become violent and slayers.

Assuming this as a propelling force behind organized killings I don’t think modernization of military forces can ever withstand it.  The best way to counter terrorism, in my opinion, is to change the mentality of people towards each other.  When we look at other persons let us not try to see in them what we would like them to have in them but respect them despite of what they are and what they have.  As the backbone of the church, young people like us will have to fight fundamentalism and communalism by promoting a culture of tolerance and coexistence.  We have to speak the language of solidarity to give peace a chance to prevail in India.

Kasta Dip