Lt Governor addresses “Confluence of Religious Leaders in Kashmir” Conference at SKICC

SRINAGAR, MARCH 23(HS): Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today urged the community elders and religious heads to spread the message of Peace and Harmony among the new generation. The Lt Governor was speaking during the “Confluence of Religious Leaders in Kashmir” Conference which was held here at SKICC. The day-long Conference witnessed huge participation of around 550 religious heads including Moulvis & Muftis, as many as 200 women and 200 youths. 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 Madarsa 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 Lt Governor emphasized 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 radicalization, the Lt Governor urged community elders, religious heads and torch bearers to spread the message of love, peace and tolerance among the youth. Radicalization 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, said the Lt Governor. The Lt Governor also highlighted the significant role of family, community influencers, religious and spiritual heads in the counter-radicalization process to thwart any attempt being made from across the border to incite communal hatred in the society. He further urged the religious heads and women to play an active role in prevention of drug addiction. On social media based propaganda, the Lt Governor 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 radicalizing our young population.