Statement By No Society or Nation can survive for long without a spirit of mutual generosity, respect and accommodation of one another's feelings and needs. Providing an insignificant piece of land for the convenience of devout pilgrims on a holy journey to a venerated shrine should not have led to vast agitations, closure of markets, blockades of transport vehicles torching of houses police firings and tragic deaths.
The Kashmir Committee feels vicariously ashamed. Large hearted Muslims should not have objected and when objection was raised self respecting Hindus should have rejected the paltry munificence of the State. It is well to remind ourselves that the fabric of our social relationships, knitted out of a philosophy of humanism, transcends limitations of political divisions. It is imperative, out of responsibility towards future generations, that we do not shred what we have inherited through countless centuries, a harmony so carefully preserved by our forefathers.
Faith is indivisible from the Indian psyche. The strength of our secularism lies in the unique respect that we have for the right of every person to worship God in his or her own way. Our message to the world has been simple and yet powerful: we do not have to agree with each other in order to respect each other. Pilgrimage is an inherent part of our most ancient and continuing traditions. Helping a pilgrim รข€“ whether a Muslim on Haj, a Hindu trekking to Amarnath, a Sikh going to the Golden Temple or a Christian heading for Bethlehem is its own reward.
The Committee firmly believes that the need of the hour is to cool tempers on all sides. If this is not done, the consequences for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the entire Indian nation and the South Asian region could be disastrous.
The Kashmir Committee appeals to all political leaders, political parties and agitating groups in Jammu, Srinagar and New Delhi to exercise restraint in word and deed. The Committee appeals to them to immediately end all street demonstrations, bandhs and road blockages. This must be the vital first step leading to calm in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Kashmir Committee also calls upon the security forces to exercise utmost restraint. Firing on persons marching peacefully to any destination including the Line Of Control is wholly unjustified and killing of any one doing just that is culpable homicide.
It is time sane elements in the State come together put an end to the prevalent madness and find a lasting solution. It is not very difficult let alone impossible.
This statement issues with the concurrence of all my colleagues in the Committee.
Ram Jethmalani
The Kashmir Committee feels vicariously ashamed. Large hearted Muslims should not have objected and when objection was raised self respecting Hindus should have rejected the paltry munificence of the State. It is well to remind ourselves that the fabric of our social relationships, knitted out of a philosophy of humanism, transcends limitations of political divisions. It is imperative, out of responsibility towards future generations, that we do not shred what we have inherited through countless centuries, a harmony so carefully preserved by our forefathers.
Faith is indivisible from the Indian psyche. The strength of our secularism lies in the unique respect that we have for the right of every person to worship God in his or her own way. Our message to the world has been simple and yet powerful: we do not have to agree with each other in order to respect each other. Pilgrimage is an inherent part of our most ancient and continuing traditions. Helping a pilgrim รข€“ whether a Muslim on Haj, a Hindu trekking to Amarnath, a Sikh going to the Golden Temple or a Christian heading for Bethlehem is its own reward.
The Committee firmly believes that the need of the hour is to cool tempers on all sides. If this is not done, the consequences for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the entire Indian nation and the South Asian region could be disastrous.
The Kashmir Committee appeals to all political leaders, political parties and agitating groups in Jammu, Srinagar and New Delhi to exercise restraint in word and deed. The Committee appeals to them to immediately end all street demonstrations, bandhs and road blockages. This must be the vital first step leading to calm in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Kashmir Committee also calls upon the security forces to exercise utmost restraint. Firing on persons marching peacefully to any destination including the Line Of Control is wholly unjustified and killing of any one doing just that is culpable homicide.
It is time sane elements in the State come together put an end to the prevalent madness and find a lasting solution. It is not very difficult let alone impossible.
This statement issues with the concurrence of all my colleagues in the Committee.
Ram Jethmalani
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