Srinagar, Jun 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said India’s civilisational identity is rooted in respect for all religions and has never compelled anyone to renounce their faith, asserting that the country’s strength lies in embracing diversity, preserving its shared cultural heritage and promoting dialogue among different communities.
Addressing the gathering during the Interfaith Dialogue on “Urdu, Kashmiriyat and Shared Cultural Traditions” at SKICC Srinagar, LG Sinha said the programme reflected India’s timeless traditions of wisdom, tolerance and coexistence, where different religions, philosophies and cultures have flourished together for centuries.
“I would like to begin by saying that India’s identity is based on respect for all religions. Since ancient times, this country has nurtured an environment where every faith has developed with equal dignity and acceptance,” he said.
Explaining the Indian concept of Dharma, the Lieutenant Governor said it represents righteousness and values worthy of reverence rather than belonging to any single religion.
Quoting the Rig Veda, he said, “Truth is one, though scholars describe it in different ways,” emphasising that all faiths ultimately lead to the same universal truth.
Referring to the Atharva Veda, LG Sinha said ancient Indian scriptures envisioned the Earth as a common home where people following different beliefs and traditions could coexist peacefully.
“This spirit of inclusiveness is what I call Bharatiyata,” he said, adding that India has always welcomed people from different faiths without asking them to abandon their religious identity.
Highlighting Kashmir’s legacy, the Lieutenant Governor said Kashmiriyat embodies the same values of compassion, tolerance, coexistence and mutual respect that define India’s civilisational ethos.
He said the Valley’s rich spiritual traditions, shaped by saints, Sufis and scholars, continue to serve as a powerful example of communal harmony.
Speaking about Urdu, LG Sinha said the language forms an integral part of India’s cultural heritage and has historically served as a bridge connecting people of different linguistic backgrounds.
He stressed the need to preserve and promote Urdu while respecting every Indian language as a valuable part of the nation’s intellectual and cultural wealth.
Referring to the current global situation, the Lieutenant Governor said India’s civilisational wisdom offers an enduring message of peace, dialogue and mutual understanding at a time when many societies are facing intolerance and conflict.
He recalled the country’s long history of offering refuge to persecuted communities without imposing religious conditions upon them.
Calling for harmony and mutual respect, LG Sinha said the message emerging from the Interfaith Dialogue should inspire society to strengthen communal bonds and uphold the values of humanity above all differences.
He also reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring peaceful observance of all religious events and promoting inclusive development across Jammu and Kashmir.
