Gandhian values key to peace and communal harmony: Minister

Minister in-charge of Mysuru district Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Friday said that peace and communal harmony could be ensured only when people imbibed Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of truth, non-violence and equal respect for all religions in their lives.

Speaking at a prayer meeting organised to mark Gandhi Jayanti at the Town Hall here, Dr. Yathindra said all religions lead to the same God and could be compared to rivers flowing into the same ocean. There should be no feeling of superiority or inferiority on the basis of religion, he said.

He said the Constitution guaranteed every individual the right to live according to their faith and beliefs. “Everyone should be able to live in peace and harmony in society,” he said.

Referring to conflicts and wars across the world, Dr. Yathindra said Gandhi’s philosophy and principles offered a path towards addressing violence, unrest and discord.

Narasimharaja MLA Tanveer Sait said Gandhi’s principles and ideals, which helped India achieve freedom through non-violence, continued to remain relevant. People should cultivate patience, tolerance and a language of love in their daily lives, he said.

Mr. Sait urged young people and students to study Gandhi’s life and thoughts and make efforts to incorporate them into their daily lives.

Dr. Yathindra distributed prizes to winners of an essay competition organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations to mark Gandhi Jayanti. Safety kits were also distributed to pourakarmikas involved in maintaining cleanliness in the city.

Representatives of different religions participated in the programme and conducted an interfaith prayer.

MLA K. Harish Gowda, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy, Zilla Panchayat CEO Yukesh Kumar, City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savita, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Public Relations Vinod Chandra, Assistant Director Nirmala S.H. and others were present.