Srinagar, Jun 4: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said Jammu & Kashmir has for centuries represented the spirit of “Sarva Dharma Sambhav” and remains one of the finest examples of coexistence and communal harmony in the world.
Addressing the ‘Rishivar’ Inter-Faith Conference at SKICC Srinagar, the Lieutenant Governor said the essence of harmony and mutual respect has been deeply rooted in Indian civilisation since ancient times.
LG Sinha said the oldest scripture, Rigveda, mentions two Sanskrit words, “Justam” and “Devebhut,” symbolising harmony and the divine light present in all human beings.
He said the Rigveda teaches that the Almighty harmonised the virtues and light of every individual in society without discrimination.
“If one wants to witness the clearest glimpse of this philosophy, it can be seen in Jammu & Kashmir, which for centuries has remained home to almost all major religions,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that while many nations across the world began speaking about coexistence much later, “Sarva Dharma Sambhav” has remained an integral part of India’s civilisational thought since ancient times.
He said coexistence was not merely an idea in India, but a way of life thousands of years ago, adding that Indian traditions have always respected diverse beliefs and schools of thought.
Referring to Sanatan Dharma, Sinha said it is among the world’s oldest faith traditions, with roots dating back over 8,000 years.
“Despite facing many struggles throughout history, Sanatan Dharma survived because it laid emphasis on coexistence, respect for all beliefs and acceptance of diversity,” he said.
The LG said scholars and researchers across the world agree that the philosophy of “Sarva Dharma Sambhav” emerged from the principles of Sanatan Dharma.
