IN THE terribly vitiated socio-political atmosphere in which leaders launch Mohabbat Ki Dukaan, the Paigaam-e-Mohabbat with which an inter-faith delegation met Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi carries an importance beyond words. The Paigaam -- appeal -- has a totally apolitical aura and seeks to initiate concerted action of breaking down narrow inter-religious walls. Against the background of the recent historic Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya, this initiative has its own significance that needs to be celebrated. In simpler terms, the delegation wished to seek the Prime Minister’s cooperation and collaboration in giving out the message of inter-faith unity of the larger Indian society. ‘The Hitavada’ welcomes this step wholeheartedly. And the reason is simple: We realise how some elements have tried to spoil the socio-cultural and political environment of the country by weaving webs of unwholesome machinations around the issues related to faith. Therefore, we also realise that any step in favour of consolidation of inter-faith unity is welcome. India is fortunate in having a decent enough socio-cultural atmosphere in which the Ayodhya Pran Pratishtha festival led to a better understanding among different faiths of the larger Indian society. Let alone some efforts to vitiate the atmosphere, the larger society understood the importance of the historic consecration ceremony that symbolised correction of a historical wrong. People from different communities understood the correct meaning of the event and joined hands in celebrations.

 

Paigaam-e-Mohabbat offers a fine symbolism of the great success Indian social leaders have been able to make possible around the Ayodhya event. The images of thousands of people from non-Hindu faiths flocking the new temple at Ayodhya and chanting Jai Shriram and displaying for the television cameras the invitations they got from the ‘Shriramjanmabhoomi Nyas’ really made every Indian happy and very proud. With this kind of religious harmony, nobody will ever be able to spoil the social environs of the country. Paigaam-e-Mohabbat only verbalised that assurance -- which Prime Minister Mr. Modi also stressed again. There is every reason for every Indian of every faith, therefore, to feel happy that he or she belongs to a country with this kind of a cultural amity and unity. The 24 leaders of different religious faiths forming the membership of the Paigaam-e-Mohabbat delegation, thus, appear to be the faith-ambassadors of India. In their hands, India’s faith-matrix is safe. The Ayodhya event is only a symbolism of what the country needs at this hour. India has been in search of a moment that would galvanise different faiths into a complete superstructure of the culture that the country has often boasted of.

 

The Ayodhya event offers that moment to the country. A lot of effort has gone into making this moment possible. Countless numbers of people -- from different faiths -- have contributed to making this moment arrive. The Paigaam-e-Mohabbat delegation is a step further from that moment -- extending its good effect, taking forward the intrinsic message of unity and harmony. That is the reason why this delegation’s approach to the Prime Minister needs to be celebrated in utmost sincerity. Political elements may still try to play spoil-sport. No matter that, duty it is of every Indian to ensure that dirty political machinations do not succeed, and the country’s larger society enjoys a finer and better socio-cultural atmosphere in which inter-faith intercourse is carried out in an unhindered manner. This is the need of the hour -- which Paigaam-e-Mohabbat points to.