AJMER: An interfaith delegation of the Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) has censured the attempts to “misrepresent” the facts and the bias shown by Western agencies towards India concerning religious freedom in the country, stated a press release.
They rebuked the pursuit of Western media and agencies to malign India’s image and reiterated that minorities in India enjoy more freedom and progress compared to the minority communities living in India’s neighbouring countries. In a stern message to such false propaganda against India, the IMF delegates, comprising prominent leaders of all religious minorities visited Dargah Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan to pay respect and seek the blessings of Khwaja Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti (RA).
The delegates and religious leaders - who prayed for the peace and prosperity and development of the nation - seconded the religious tolerance in the country and hailed the initiatives taken by the Indian government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting religious harmony.
Meanwhile, a Sufi mehfil was also organized on the occasion in which the IMF delegates took part. Dargah Ajmer Sharif is one of the most revered sites in India not only for Muslims but also for the people of other faiths, who hold the saint in high esteem. The delegates participated in the Friday prayers at Dargah Sharif. Along with them, 50,000 individuals took part in the special prayers transcending differences and promoting unity.
The delegation, on behalf of 140 crore Indians, prayed for peace and prosperity in the country. Meanwhile, the delegates also offered chadar, a symbol of devotion and respect, and is believed to carry the prayers and wishes of the devotee to the revered Sufi saint. The visit aimed to show and strengthen the communal harmony and brotherhood among the members of different communities living in unity and affinity across India.
The delegation was led by Satnam Singh Sandhu, who is the convenor of the IMF. Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Sharif of Gaddi Nashin-Dargah and chairman, of Chishty Foundation, in Ajmer was also part of the auspicious event. The IMF delegates included IMF founder, Prof Himani Sood Mansoor Khan, National President, the Sufi Islamic Board; Darshan Bhagwan Ahir, General Secretary, Sufi Islamic Board; Kasis Warsi, President-Sufi Foundation, Moradabad; Anil Masih, president of All Churches Council, Punjab and Chandigarh; Simon Barua, Monk; Debojit Roy, Monk; Bhikshu Ashvaghosh, member of Mahathera Sangharam Budh Vihar Delhi; Goswami Sushil, spiritual guru, and choreographer theaterist; Vivek Muni ji, founder of Acharya Sushil Muni Mission and S. Paramjit Singh Chandhok, Chief Advisor, Delhi Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee.
In a joint statement, the IMF delegates criticized the false narrative against India propagated by the media and agencies in the West. While trashing the false claims by Western media, the delegates said that motivated and biased information spread against India questions their own credibility.
“India is the safest country for minorities, the Western agencies have hidden agendas against our nation. The religious freedom guaranteed by the Indian constitution to every citizen is protected by PM Modi. We along with PM Modi will contribute to India’s development,” the members said in a joint statement, adding that the “Western media should stop targeting the world’s largest democratic country which believes in respect for all”.
Haji Syed Salman Chishty, chairman, Chishty Foundation, in Ajmer, during the IMF delegation’s visit to Dargah Sharif said that India is a rich tapestry of diverse cultures and religions. The secular fabric in India is thriving and the vested interests cannot break it by any means.
“Indian minorities can take care of themselves and their rights. Minorities in India are strong and independent enough to raise their concern. Western countries and media should stop being protagonists of Indian Minorities,” said Haji Syed Salman Chishty. He also hailed the welfare initiatives taken for minority communities by PM Modi during the last nine years and endorsed the fact that minorities now feel safe in India.
IMF convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu rebuked the flawed understanding of the Western media about India and their continuous pursuit to vilify the country. “India is home to a diversity of religions and cultures that have co-existed for centuries. India is a vibrant pluralistic society and every religion has thrived in India that is because of the heritage that has taught us to respect every religion and culture. Naturally, India values religious freedom and human rights,” he said.
While denouncing the continuous attempts by Western media to target and malign the image of India on minority issues, Anil Masih, president of all churches’ council, Punjab and Chandigarh, said that India is certainly not a country where minorities are persecuted, the minorities rather have flourished in the country over the years.
“India is certainly not among the countries where minorities are persecuted. The false propaganda fueled by Western media is a misrepresentation of the facts. The welfare of the minority communities has been at the heart of PM Modi-led government and these communities feel safe and secure in India,” Anil Masih added.
Simon Barua, a Buddhist monk, said that India has emerged as the promoter of peace in the world and PM Modi is the global ambassador of peace.
“PM Modi’s leadership has always been focused on creating a harmonious and peaceful society. We do not understand the basis of false narratives by Western media against India on the issues of minorities,” he said. He further stated that PM Modi, during his nine years, was able to resolve the long-pending issues of the minority communities, which has resulted in all-round development.
Bhikshu Ashwaghosh, who is a member of Mahathera Sangharam Budh Vihar Delhi, said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken the message of Buddha to the world for peace and love. We must shun the hatred which some elements are trying to propagate amongst us. These elements have vested interests in dividing India. India has always been helpful to those who have been persecuted. We are proud to be citizens of a nation called India which has always talked about One World, One Family.”
Kasis Warsi, president of the Sufi Foundation Moradabad, said, “There are continuous efforts by Western media and agencies to tarnish the image of India at a global level, which we strongly oppose. People belonging to minority communities are the safest in India. But the Western media is constantly trying to disturb communal harmony and brotherhood in India while it should be paying attention to the atrocities against the Minorities in their respective nations”.
Mansoor Khan, president of Sufi Islamic Board National, said that the Western countries and Western media should first concentrate on the atrocities (hate crimes) of minorities in their respective countries and then extend any advice to India.
“The Western media has adopted a biased attitude against India and is spreading bad propaganda regarding Indian minorities. Minorities in India have complete religious freedom, and the Modi-led government pays special attention to the development of Minority communities. However, there are many countries in the world where innumerable atrocities are being committed against minorities, but the Western media ignores them and does not report them. Following the ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ policy, PM Modi has resolved the long-pending problems and issues of minorities,” said Mansoor Khan. (ANI)
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