Interfaith Dialogue Promotes Proximity

INTERFAITH DIALOGUE PROMOTES PROXIMITY our thoughts on the theme of religion and peace. I said that religion is essentially a spiritual system that purifies human nature. Due to the decline of religion in the present era, people have started giving more importance to external forms, leading to conflict. People with true religious spirit will emphasize their internal qualities more, and the conflict will naturally be resolved. Commenting on these T.V. programs, someone said that Doordarshan did an excellent job by allowing people to speak on the current situation. Previously, Doordarshan used to bring leaders or secular intellectuals on such topics. However, there is no practical benefit in making political leaders or secular intellectuals talk about religion and humanity. Religious people should address these matters. This program had a good impact on people. I departed from Delhi to Mumbai on December 15, 1992, at 8 a.m. I read a report in The Indian Express (dated December 15) while on the airplane—the report, written by Mr. N.D. Sharma, bearing the dateline of Bhopal, highlighted that the annual congregation of the Tablighi Jamat was scheduled to take place from December 19 to 21 in Bhopal. According to expectations, two lakh people were to participate in this gathering. However, due to disturbances, a curfew was still in force in Bhopal, causing concern to the state administration. The ruling party of Madhya Pradesh (BJP) suggested that the gathering be held briefly and inconspicuously, to which the Jamaat people agreed. The report stated: