India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI—Religious leaders under the aegis of the Dharmik Jan Morcha, during an online interaction, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure “no one feels insecure” in the country.
The Morcha is a joint national forum of religious leaders and representatives of different religious organizations.
The central theme of the discussion that continued for about 90 minutes was “The Challenges of the Corona Pandemic: Joint Efforts by Religious Organizations and Governments.”
After listening to the views and suggestions of the religious leaders, PM urged them to work with mutual cooperation and be in touch with their respective state governments.
He specifically asked the religious leaders and their institutions to clear confusion about Covid-19 vaccinations.
Stating that the challenges of the Corona pandemic cannot be met by the government alone, religious leaders underlined the need for greater cooperation between the government and the religious leaders and institutions.
However, they reminded the PM that such a huge challenge facing the nation could be met successfully only “when mutual love, goodwill, and trust are strong in the country, and no one feels insecure.”
To achieve this objective, religious leaders told him that “serious efforts should be undertaken to strengthen mutual love and harmony, and curb those who spread hatred among the people.”
“Religious leaders and institutions at the social level, and the state and central governments at the official level, must work hand in hand for this purpose,” the religious leaders emphasized.
The clergy also emphasized the need to improve health infrastructure and increase the budget for health at the state and central levels to meet health emergencies like Covid-19.
Dharmacharyas also advised the PM to direct the central and state government agencies to take strict action against those found involved in black-marketing medicines and equipment during the second Covid-19 wave so that such a thing is not repeated in the future.
Inviting attention of the PM towards the religious places like temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras, ashrams, dargahs, shrines, etc. having done exemplary social service during the second Covid-19 wave, the Dharmacharyas advised Modi to ask the government agencies to share resources with the religious institutions for social assistance on a larger scale during such emergencies.
Pointing out the negligence on the part of the public as also the governments to stop religious and political events with large crowds during the second Covid-19 wave, the religious leaders advised Modi to direct authorities to ensure that Covid-19 appropriate behaviour was followed strictly in the future.
The Dharmacharyas also drew the attention of the PM towards increasing immorality, misconduct, injustice against the weak and the poor, and atrocities prevailing in the society that brings the wrath of God on earth. “Therefore, we should personally, collectively, and at the government level, take stock of our own mistakes honestly and make serious efforts to repent, seek God’s forgiveness and improve ourselves,” they asked the PM.
The religious leaders said that if sincere penance is done, then “we hope that God will forgive us and bless us and give us relief from the disaster of the Corona pandemic.”
The religious leaders who took part in the discussion were Shankaracharya Shri Omkaranand Saraswati Ji (Prayagpeeth), Peethadheesh Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj, Galtapeethadhish Awadheshacharya Ji, Chief Granthi of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, GianiRanjit Singh Ji, Father Dr. M.D. Thomas, Acharya Vivek Muni Ji, Brahma Kumaris Sister B.K. Asha, Swami Shantatmanandji of Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Vir Singh Hitkariji of Ravidasiya Dharma Sangathan, Dr. A.K. Merchant and Professor Mohammad Salim Engineer of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.
