Srinagar, 27 June (H.S.): The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said India's civilisational identity is rooted in respect for all religions and has never compelled anyone to renounce their faith, asserting that the country's strength lies in embracing diversity, preserving its shared cultural heritage and promoting dialogue among different communities.

Addressing the gathering during the Interfaith Dialogue on Urdu, Kashmiriyat and Shared Cultural Traditions at SKICC Srinagar, LG Sinha said the programme reflected India's timeless traditions of wisdom, tolerance and coexistence, where different religions, philosophies and cultures have flourished together for centuries.

I would like to begin by saying that India's identity is based on respect for all religions. Since ancient times, this country has nurtured an environment where every faith has developed with equal dignity and acceptance, he said.

Explaining the Indian concept of Dharma, the Lieutenant Governor said it represents righteousness and values worthy of reverence rather than belonging to any single religion. Quoting the Rig Veda, he said, Truth is one, though scholars describe it in different ways, emphasising that all faiths ultimately lead to the same universal truth.

Referring to the Atharva Veda, LG Sinha said ancient Indian scriptures envisioned the Earth as a common home where people following different beliefs and traditions could coexist peacefully. This spirit of inclusiveness is what I call Bharatiyata, he said, adding that India has always welcomed people from different faiths without asking them to abandon their religious identity.

Highlighting Kashmir's legacy, the Lieutenant Governor said Kashmiriyat embodies the same values of compassion, tolerance, coexistence and mutual respect that define India's civilisational ethos. He said the Valley's rich spiritual traditions, shaped by saints, Sufis and scholars, continue to serve as a powerful example of communal harmony.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar