Man is created to live joyfully and peacefully in relation with other human beings and the entire creation. India has been a land of diversity and pluralism. Joyful and peaceful co-existence has been the culture and tradition. We are proud of this rich legacy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah.

Yet today this joyful coexistence is being disturbed by a xenophobia (fear of the strangers) which is on the increase. Majority comunity views minorities as enemies. Hate messages are beinf spread through social media, even through print and electronic media agaisnt the Muslims as terrorists, Christians as people bent on converting others. This fear of minority communities leads to hatred, hatred leads to discrimination, discrimination leads to violence in the form of mob lynching, riots, and even massacre some times.

This seminar is to see the goodness in the other and to promote Xeophilia in place of Xenophobia, so that we live a life of joyful and peaceful coexistence assuring  the implementation of the rights of all people as ensured in the Indian Constitution and the United Nation's Charter of Human Rights.

PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF MINORITIES

Statement by the Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace

60 members of the Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace along with 45 of their collaborators deliberated on the theme ‘Protection of the Rights of Minorities for an Inclusive Society’ in a seminar held on 18 February, 2024 in Nepal Law Campus in Kathmandu. We make the following assertion:

Political parties and governments in different parts of the world are using religion, culture, caste and others to cultivate a milieu of exclusion which leads to violence on people who belong to communities other than the dominant ones. Discrimination of Manuel Scavengers, other Dalit communities and religious minorities has become common esp, in South Asia. People are also  discriminated based on their work and descent. Christians and Muslims are discriminated in India. Christians have become soft targets of attacks and persecution. Hindus, Christians and smaller Muslim sects have become victims of discrimination and persecution in Pakistan using the Blasphemy law. Disctrimination and atrocities of minorities are used as means to ascend to power and control.

We assert that diversity of religions, cultures, ethnicity and languages is the essence of the South Asia region. This legacy of diversity need to be respected and promoted. In a world struggling with assimilation of diversity, the rich lessons learned from a history of acceptance, respect and promotion of diversity in the South Asian region is of great relevance to the rest of the world.

We appeal to the governments in South Asia, particularly India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to stop discrimination and violence against minorities and vulnerable communities in their countries, and promote their unique cultures and religious beliefs. Discriminatory laws and practices against minorities and vulnerable groups should be considered unacceptable and done away with. Political parties, social groups and others have an important role to promote the same.

The Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace along with other signatories commit to contribute to take discussion and action on this topic further i future activities with broader articulations and intiatives. 

Signatories: 1. Forum of Relgious for Justice and Peace, India

2. Sajha Sanskriti Manch,Varanasi, India
3. Asian Bridge India, Varanasi, India  

Additional Documents

1. Communities Discrimnated on the basis of Descent and Work presented by Fr. Xavier Bosco S.J., Vijayawada, India   (see the Documentation box above)