The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Prince of Arcot warns against divisive forces

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Tamil Nadu

Prince of Arcot warns against divisive forces

Special Correspondent

— Photo: S. Gopakumar

Loud and clear: Prince of Arcot Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali speaks at a seminar in Thiruvananthapuram.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, has cautioned against attempts by vested interests to divide society on religious, communal and linguistic lines.

Delivering the keynote address at a seminar on ‘Secularism in India’ organised by the Lions Clubs International District 324 E-1 and Jeevan TV here on Wednesday, he said that religious leaders were trying to brainwash youngsters. Secularism was the life breath of the country where all religions enjoyed equal status. It was enshrined in the Constitution.

Religious differences and fundamentalism were being nurtured by politicians, too, for gaining power. People should be aware of their fundamental rights, but should not succumb to religious extremism. Politicians should be blamed for sowing discontent in society. Educated youngsters having sound family background should enter politics to get rid of the debasing tendencies, including corruption, he said.

Kashmir issue

The Jammu and Kashmir issue was nothing but a creation of the British and should be settled. Compared to violent incidents in Pakistan, Muslims were leading a safe and peaceful life in India.

Tracing the secular legacy of the nation, the Nawab reminded how his ancestors, who ruled south India for long, had donated land for temples and churches. About 300 years ago, no one was aware of secularism, but there was religious amity and tolerance.

Terrorism hits at the root of development and the need of the hour was unity and tolerance, he said.

He stressed the need for conducting awareness programmes such as those organised by Harmony India in Chennai since 1991. It was regularly conducting conferences and seminars to promote peace, amity and national integration.

The Nawab also delivered the Sree Chithira Thirunal memorial lecture on ‘Communal harmony, secularism and national integration,’ organised by the Sree Chithira Thirunal Smaraka Samithy in the city on Tuesday.

Former Indian Ambassador T.P. Sreenivasan, in his inaugural address, said Kerala had all along been a model State for religious amity in the country. But, recent developments were a blot on the reputation of the State.

He said the Kashmir issue was a litmus test for secularism. If it seceded from India, it would endanger the lives of Muslims here. There was nothing as good terrorism and bad terrorism.

Jeevan TV managing director Baby Mathew presided.

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