NEW DELHI: intellectuals and Politicians have given a call to oppose the Bharatiya Janata Party Sponsored rally stated for February 25 at the Capital’s Boat Club. Former Union Minister Vasant Sathe said that all peace giving People of Delhi should stage a “satyagraha” in case the BJP does NOt withdraw its call for the proposed rally by February 20. Speaking at a convention on $social harmony, organized by the National Sadbhavna Conference On Saturday, Sathe lambasted the BJP for its blatantly communal Politics to meet its narrow political needs.
He said that the proposed rally Promises to be inclined towards taking up communal issue and should be prevented “at any cost,” since it is likely to create further tension in the Capital.
Reacting at the comments of home senior BJP leaders that they can give no guarantee whether the Tally would be “infiltrated” by Some antisocial elements, Sathe stated that the staging of the rally should be opposed tooth and nail.
Sharing the dias with him, former Vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University Syed Hamid also endorsed Sathe’s view point, asking the people to sit on an indefinite fast to prevent the rally. Earlier, Dr.Karan Singh, former Ambassador to the United States, Stressed the need for “Vasudev Kutumlokan” where people from different religions live and work together towards a common goal of developing the nation.
He expressed disappointment that the country which spearheaded such spiritual movements in the past has suddenly lost out on those very ideologies that guided it for centuries.
“We seem to have forgotten the message of Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aunbindo and their vision of a nation. The vision should be updated, in the present context.”
“India has a great role to play in the coming years. It should spearhead the transition towards the concept of global village and not weaken the secular fabric of the nation by fighting among ourselves,” said Dr.Singh.
President of the Islamic Center stressed that only a common ideology can bind the communities together. “The differences will still be there, but they can be sorted out like any other stiff amongst the members of the same family,” he Stated.
Thirteen eminent citizens and media personalities on Feb.6 appealed to the BJP to reconsider its plan to hold a rally here on Feb.25 in view of communally surcharged atmosphere in the Capital, In a joint statement here, they also urged Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao to take steps to prevent the gathering of such large numbers if the BJP did not agree to withdraw the proposal for handling the rally to display their Strength or their support to a program.
“Given the present condition in the Capital we feel that it would be wise if the BJP was to reconsider its plan of holding the rally of participants numbering lakhs,” they said.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 12, 1993
