Protecting Religious Harmony: A Thought on the Current Situation

 There are growing demands from certain groups claiming that there are Shiva Lingas beneath mosques, dargahs, and churches. They argue that these sites should be excavated and that Hindus should be granted permission to perform rituals at such places.

The motives behind these demands appear to stem from three primary objectives:

1. To completely eradicate the fragile religious harmony that still exists in the country.
2. To divert public attention from pressing issues that need serious discussion.
3. To establish the majority religion as the de facto state religion.

The ultimate goal of these propagators is to suppress the existence of nearly 30% of the population who follow various other religions in India, all for political gain.

In 1991, then-Prime Minister Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao introduced the Places of Worship Act, which states:

"The status of places of worship as of August 15, 1947, shall remain unchanged. They shall belong to the religious community in possession as of that date. Any attempt to convert or alter the nature of a place of worship will attract legal consequences, including imprisonment."

The Ram Janmabhoomi case, which was already in dispute, was exempted from this Act.

Despite such a clear legal framework, some individuals are now attempting to convert places of worship under the control of other religions into Hindu temples. They are filing court cases and sowing seeds of division and hatred among people. This raises a critical question for every individual: how lawful or ethical are these actions?

India is a land of great diversity, and there is no guarantee that excavating such sites will only uncover Hindu artifacts. This diversity is what defines our nation. Trying to impose a singular religious identity on a pluralistic country goes against our culture, history, and values.

In a nation that thrives on diversity, where all religions, traditions, and beliefs coexist harmoniously, this unity is our strength. Destroying that strength will only lead to discord, which is neither desirable nor beneficial.

Let us safeguard the essence of our nation by preserving religious harmony and respecting the beliefs of all.