Experts dwell on contribution of Sikhism to peace

Amritsar, Punjab: Though all the religions around the world teach love, preach sympathy for others and encourage mutual respect and harmony, yet the world today is torn by conflicts, enmity and religious hatred. These views were expressed by Joginder Singh Vedanti, former Jathedar, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, during the inaugural session of a symposium on ‘Contribution of Sikhism in Promoting Peace and Communal Harmony’.

The symposium was hosted by the Centre on Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Nanak Dev University, in collaboration with the National Foundation for Communal Harmony, New Delhi, here today. Dr Mohinder Singh, member, National Commission for Minority Education Institutions, New Delhi, delivered the keynote address. Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar, IFS (retd), Secretary, National Foundation for Communal Harmony, New Delhi, presided over the inaugural session. Prof Ajaib Singh Brar, Vice-Chancellor, welcomed the chief guests and others. Dr Gulzar Singh Kang, coordinator, introduced the guest speakers.

Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti said, “To be a Sikh, it is mandatory that one must respect and accept all other religions of the world and at the same time must respect the customs and rituals of others.”

Dr Mohinder Singh said, “The politicians are dividing the masses on the name of religions for their own benefits.” “The approach should be not to act like scissors and tear the social fabric apart, but to act like a needle and sew it together,” he said. Pointing towards student-teacher relation, he advocated that teachers should inculcate moral and ethical values among the students.

Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar said, “The objective of the National Foundation for Communal Harmony is to propagate communal harmony among various quarters of society by establishing ‘Sadbhavna Clubs’.”

Prof Brar said, “Sikhism is the youngest religion and it conveys the message of peace and harmony.”

Meanwhile, Prof Brar also honoured Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Dr Mohinder Singh, and Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar with shawl and university publications. Dr Shashi Bala, Dr Gurcharan Singh and Dr Gurnam Singh Sanghera, Dr Gulzar Singh Kang, Dr Harjit Singh and S Sukhpal Singh also presented their research papers on the occasion.

Source: The Tribune