Communities must be trained to live in harmony, says historian

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCT 18: Historian M G S Narayanan has called for better understanding between the country's majority and minority com...

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCT 18: Historian M G S Narayanan has called for better understanding between the country’s majority and minority communities, saying that the majority community must learn to respect the rights of minorities, allay their fears and encourage them to become partners in national reconstruction.

Addressing a seminar on mainstream culture and national integration, jointly organised by the Bangalore-based Institute for Manpower Planning and Career Training, Sri Aurobindo Study Centre and Vivekananda Cultural Institute here today, Narayanan said minority communities must also recognise that their progress did not depend on confrontation with others, “to please hostile neighbours or imperialist powers.”

“There has to be a general agreement among all to avoid offensive postures and statements and inflammatory speeches, but this is a question of psychological maturity and cannot be enforced arbitrarily. In such matters, education and persuasion must be able to produce results in duecourse”, he said.

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“There still is an aggressive, lunatic fringe of Hindu society exposed in the assassination of the Mahatma and the wanton destruction of the controversial building in Ayodhya, but this does not represent the community as a whole”, he added.

In spite of the Pan Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism organised with the support of Pakistan, the Muslim community in India is progressing towards integration and contributing a colourful and vigorous element to Indian culture, he said.

He added that Indian Christians had carved a niche for themselves in the Western world with their industry and enterprise, so that India has an emotional link with the Christian civilizations of Europe and America. They have also become a part of the mainstream culture.

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

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Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

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