Compassion, constant search for truth, sense of humility and questioning the establishment are basic values required for the establishment of an inclusive society, said Asghar Ali Engineer, Chairman, Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai.
He was delivering the inaugural address at a workshop on inclusive society, human rights and peace building at Gandhigram Rural Institute at Gandhigram near here on Monday.
“How will you build an inclusive society without compassion, love and harmony? Truth is god. If there was no truth, there is no god. Arrogance was the worst obstacle in the path of truth. Without communal harmony of all religions, our democracy will never become vibrant. We have to value truth and non-violence. If we understand real meaning of ahimsa and satyagraha, our democracy will be vibrant. Search for truth should be ceaseless, constant and without an end,” he said.
“Burning of buses and destruction of properties proved that we were less influenced by the god. We pray before the god and at the same time, we will not hesitate to kill in the name of god, massacre people in the name of religion or caste. Everyone should examine his or her inner self,” he added.
Tribal people did not get justice either from the Central government or from the Supreme Court of India. “Honour killing were due to our arrogance only. Value of truth and non-violence should be propagated,” he stated.
“We are obsessed with our career that means competition. Unfortunately, competition is also on the basis of religion, caste and other factors. What is the use of becoming a super power without knowing when and where the second meals come from?” Dr. Ali questioned.
Every plan should benefit the people in the society. Persons at the lowest level should be benefited with the plans designed by the government.
Only then, the inclusive society could be established. Moreover, marriage should be bonded by love and compassion and not by religion and other factors. If educated cannot transform themselves, how can they transform the society. “Enrich your inner self to make human life more dignified. Happiness will not come through money. All should work for multiplying happiness and love for a peaceful living,” he stated.
GRU professor G. Palanithurai and Centre for Study of Society and Secularism Executive Director Vasundara Monhan spoke.
