Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 9 Jan: A roundtable dialogue on Religious Harmony, Constitutional Dignity, and Social Cohesion was organised at the World Integrity Centre under the joint aegis of veterans’ organisations of the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces in Uttarakhand, and SDC Foundation, Uttarakhand.
The dialogue brought together Armed Forces and CAPF veterans, along with citizens of Dehradun from diverse social backgrounds, professions, age groups, religions, and women participants. The objective of the discussion was to strengthen dialogue, mutual understanding, and constitutional values at a time when society is witnessing increasing polarisation. Brigadier Sarvesh Dutt (Pahadi) Dangwal (Retd) and social activist Anoop Nautiyal were the co-convenors of the dialogue.
Prominent participants included IG SS Kothiyal, Madhurlata Agrawal, Anita Nautiyal, Sujata Paul Maliah, Colonel Rajiv Rawat, Lieutenant Colonel Kailash Chandra Devrani, Havildar Niranjan Singh Chauhan, Solomon Das, Jitendra Sehrawat, Dr Apoorva Mawai and Dinesh Chandra.
Speakers emphasised that India is not merely a geographical entity but a constitutional and moral idea rooted in coexistence. The Indian Constitution accords equal respect to all religions, and the secular character of the nation has been intrinsic to its spirit since Independence.
A broad consensus emerged that the core problem today does not lie in religion itself, but in its political misuse. Religion, which should promote humanity, compassion, and self-restraint, becomes a source of division when exploited to spread fear and hatred.
It was clarified that the roundtable was not intended to impose conclusions or pass judgments on any faith, but to initiate honest dialogue on social issues that are often avoided. The distinction between Hinduism and Hindutva was also discussed, with speakers noting that Hinduism is an ancient, pluralistic, and questioning tradition, whereas Hindutva is a modern political ideology. Failure to recognise this difference, they noted, is contributing to social confusion and tension.
The role of the veteran community was discussed in depth. Speakers underlined that the uniform belongs not to any religion, but to the Constitution. On the battlefield, there is no Hindu or Muslim, only an Indian soldier. Therefore, politics based on religious polarisation stands in clear contradiction to military values.
Participants also called upon the media, civil society, and the intellectual community to introspect and act responsibly to uphold balance, reason, and constitutional principles.
The roundtable concluded with the message that the Republic does not fear faith, but fears the abandonment of reason and humanity in the name of faith. It was agreed that such dialogues would continue through future discussions, workshops, and citizen engagement to further strengthen social harmony and constitutional consciousness in Uttarakhand.
