Friday, Mar 29 2024 | Time 15:24 Hrs(IST)
image
India


No place for hate speech, demonization in a democracy: NSA

No place for hate speech, demonization in a democracy: NSA

New Delhi, Nov 29 (UNI) In a democracy there is no place for hate speech, demonization and misuse of religion for narrow ends, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said on Tuesday addressing an interfaith peace and social harmony conference of Ulemas and scholars of India and Indonesia at India Islamic Cultural Centre here.
"We need to work together to develop common narratives on de-radicalization. In a democracy, there is no place for hate speech, prejudice, propaganda, demonization, violence, conflict and misuse of religion for narrow ends," said Doval while stressing on the role of Ulemas in "educating the people on original tolerant and moderate principles of Islam."
"It's here that the Ulema have a pivotal role to play... Our youth should receive special attention towards this end. They are often primary target of radicalization, but if their energies are nurtured in the right direction, they can emerge as harbingers of change and building blocks of progress in any society," he said.
The NSA said that the essence lies in disseminating the positive discourse far and wide, and not merely in reacting to the agenda set by inimical forces.
"State institutions also need to come together in detecting and identifying potential negative influencers and share information to counter their activities. In this, Ulemas, due to their deep connect with civil society, can play a vital role," the NSA emphasised.
The NSA said that extreme and terrorism is against the very meaning of Islam because Islam means peace and well being.
He said that opposition to such forces (extremists and radicals) should not be painted as a confrontation with any religion.
"None of the ends for which extremism, radicalization and the misuse of religion are employed are justifiable on any ground. This is a distortion of religion against which all of us need to raise out voices," Doval said.
Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for the Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Dr Mohammed Mahfud MD is in the capital on invitation of NSA Ajit Doval. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation of Ulema and various Islamic scholars.
The two attended the conference on interfaith peace and social harmony aimed to bring together Indian and Indonesian Ulema and Islamic scholars to promote tolerance, harmony and peaceful co-existence to counter fight against violent extremism, terrorism and radicalization.
The NSA said that both India and Indonesia have been victims of terrorism and separatism.
"While we have overcome the challenges to a considerable extent, the phenomenon of cross border and ISIS-inspired terrorism continue to pose a threat. Cooperation of the of the civil society is essential in countering the threat from ISIS inspired individual terror cells and returnees from theatres like Syria and Afghanistan," said Doval.
The NSA began the address by condoling the loss of lives in the recent earthquake in Indonesia.
"I want to say how saddened we all feel by loss of lives and damage to property from the earthquake in Indonesia. Our deepest condolences to victims and their families. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured. India stands with Indonesia in this hour of grief," the NSA said.
He highlighted the vast and extended economic and cultural contacts between the two countries saying both countries play important role in flourishing democracies in the Indo-Pacific region.
UNI ASU BAV

More News
Traders, wholesalers, retailers to declare stock position of wheat, rice every Friday: Govt

Traders, wholesalers, retailers to declare stock position of wheat, rice every Friday: Govt

29 Mar 2024 | 2:12 PM

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) With a view to check any hoarding and artificial increase in prices of foodgrains, the Government has asked Traders, Wholesalers and others to declare stock position of wheat every Friday till further orders.

see more..
DoT advisory against fraud WhatsApp calls

DoT advisory against fraud WhatsApp calls

29 Mar 2024 | 2:05 PM

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) Taking note of rising fraud calls and cyber crimes, the Department of Telcom Friday issued an advisory about WhatsApp calls from foreign origin mobile numbers and asked citizens not to entertain such calls and not reveal any information.

see more..
PM has mastered art of manipulating democracy, hurting Constitution: Kharge

PM has mastered art of manipulating democracy, hurting Constitution: Kharge

28 Mar 2024 | 10:30 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comment on the Congress and said that the PM has mastered the art of "manipulating: democracy and "hurting" the Constitution.

see more..
Comments on our electoral, legal processes completely unacceptable: MEA

Comments on our electoral, legal processes completely unacceptable: MEA

28 Mar 2024 | 7:34 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) The Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that recent remarks by the US State Department on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest are "unwarranted," and any such external imputation on India's electoral and legal processes is "completely unacceptable".

see more..
DC extends Kejriwal's ED custody till April 1

DC extends Kejriwal's ED custody till April 1

28 Mar 2024 | 7:26 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) A Delhi Court on Thursday extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, an accused in the alleged liquor policy scam, for four days till April 1.

see more..
image