The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, on Thursday attended the Rishiwar Inter-Faith Conference 2026 in Srinagar.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that the principle of honouring all faiths equally has been deeply woven into the fabric of India’s philosophy for millennia. “While many nations today struggle with the challenge of coexistence, diversity has always been our natural rhythm of life. Whereas many societies have devised measures to safeguard unity, India embraced the ethos and values of coexistence and practised them seamlessly for thousands of years,” he said.
Sinha observed that respecting all ideas and beliefs has always been the tradition of Sanatan Dharma. He noted that India has consistently upheld unity in diversity and shown respect to every faith that emerged long after Sanatan Dharma. Quoting the Rigveda, he said: “Our hearts and minds should be aligned, our aim the same, our feelings in harmony, and our thoughts united.”
He further remarked: “Scholars and researchers worldwide agree that the spirit of equal regard for all religions finds its philosophical roots in the ancient traditions of our great country. When I reflect on the ideals and philosophies India has gifted humanity, it becomes evident that through both thought and deed, our Vedas, Upanishads, saints and seers have illuminated a path towards lasting world peace.”
The Lieutenant Governor stressed that every thread of society must be woven together, advancing with a shared commitment to the welfare of humanity. “That is precisely what humanity needs most today. The ethos of equal respect for all religions is India’s most precious gift to the world. We must continuously nurture it so we can move forward together in unity and bring prosperity to every community,” he said.
Highlighting Jammu and Kashmir’s exceptional performance during the three phases of the Vande Mataram initiative, Mr Sinha described the achievement as extraordinary and a testament to the people’s enduring patriotic spirit.
He also praised the overwhelming public support for the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan. He said that participation from all sections of society has been organic and inspiring, and called upon citizens, institutions and community leaders to embrace the campaign as a people’s movement, working together towards building a drug-free and healthier society.
