‘People often overlook divisions in the name of language and race’

Even the sane voices who condemn the division of people in the name of religion often overlook division in the name of language and race, said Justice V. Ramasubramanian, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India.

Speaking at a national forum for promoting communal amity, Justice Ramasubramanian said, “We have to focus on our future generations; not only this country, but the earth also belongs to the future generations. We will have to tell them how the very concept of unity is ingrained in the way we are created.”

During the event, the guest speakers released the vision statement of Unity India.

Faizan Mustafa, Vice-Chancellor, Chanakya Law University, Patna, said that the purpose of the Indian Constitution was to promote fraternity, and added that seven decades were “wasted on discussions about the relationship between state and religion”.  “In every country in the world today, the supreme law of the land would be the Constitution. If you want to believe in something, you are free, but legally speaking, your belief should not come in the way of constitutional values. Wherever there is a conflict between the Constitution and belief, the latter has to make way for the former,” he said. 

A. Faizur Rahman, Secretary-General, Islamic Forum for the Promotion of Moderate Thought, also spoke at the event.

Kannan, former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court; P.N. Prakash, former judge of Madras High Court; senior advocate N.L. Rajah; and Irshad Mecca, associate, Islamic Forum for the Promotion of Moderate Thought were present.