Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today “Confluence of Religious Leaders in Kashmir” conference at SKICC here where he urged the community elders and religious heads to spread the message of peace and harmony among the new generation.
Terming the conference as a ‘historic moment’ for Jammu and Kashmir, the Lt Governor appreciated the efforts being made to discuss the role of religious leaders and women in creating violence-free society, counter-radicalization and modernization of madrassa education.
“Jammu & Kashmir has remained home to diverse religious and cultural influences which deeply enriched its pluralistic ethos. No development and progress is possible without sustained peace, communal harmony and brotherhood,” said the Lt Governor.
The LG also emphasised the need for restoration of the pristine glory of J&K as an abode of peace, amity, communal harmony and brotherhood and urged the people to come forward in achieving this goal.
“Violence has no place in any civilized society and peaceful co-existence is the best means to resolve problems”, he added.
While addressing the issue of counter radicalisation, the LG urged community elders, religious heads and torch bearers to spread the message of love, peace and tolerance among the youth.
“Radicalisation should not be associated with a specific religion. There is a need for Islamic Scholars to formulate a policy and a process by which a helpless person, who is exposed to a violent ideology, is prevented from getting radicalized,” he said.
He further urged the religious heads and women to play an active role in prevention of drug addiction.
On social media based propaganda, the LG called upon all the stakeholders to make collaborative efforts to check the violent ideology and propaganda being spread on social media by certain groups in radicalising the young population.
“Although, the level of radicalisation is comparatively much lesser in Jammu Kashmir, it is very important to focus on counter-radicalisation for ensuring social harmony and national security,” the LG said.
“Many cases have come up in which even a very educated person gets radicalised. We need to counter radicalization through Sufi tradition, religious heads and Mothers and sisters without any particular sect,” the Lt Governor added.
Highlighting the reformative measures being taken in the education sector by the government, the LG said that from this session, education will be imparted in all 5 official languages. “Translation of local folklores and those of other states for cultural exchange and understanding is being done to promote the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. The stories of courage and sacrifice of our role models like Brigadier Rajinder Singh, Maqbool Sherwani and Women Self Defense Corps, would be told in schools,” he added.
Speaking on tremendous work being done for modernisation of education, the LG observed that vocational courses have been started in all schools from class 9th in accordance with the suggestions of the new National Education Policy.
“Apart from that, vocational training is being provided to 44,351 children in 715 schools under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan,” he added.
The day-long conference witnessed huge participation of around 550 religious heads including moulvis and muftis, and as many as 200 women and 200 youth.
-ARK
