Nagaland Chief Minister SC Jamir said
the very spirit of India was secularism which, he
explained, symbolized tolerance towards all religions.
This was disclosed while addressing at a function of
the Vedic Mahayagya at Dimapur on Saturday.
The Chief Minister stated that he was particularly
happy to learn that there was no "religious
discrimination in this Mahayagya".
Stating that peace was a universal requirement, Jamir
said in a secular country like India, the most
important thing was all should live together and
should together pray for peace, irrespective of their
religion or beliefs.
"We would disintegrate without following the tenets of
secularism", said the chief Minister. "Without
secularism there would be no communal harmony and
without communal harmony there will be no peace and
without peace humanity will destroy itself".
The Chief Minister however deplored that despite of
current ceasefire in the state, clashes among the
various Naga underground factions continued resulting
in loss of precious lives.
“The people of Nagaland have had enough of violence
and all they want is peace, so that they can live in
security and be free to pursue their vocations without
fear”, the Chief Minister said urging upon all
sections of Naga people to abjure all forms of
violence for the larger interest of the future of the
Naga society.
Jamir pointed out that act of violence was an act of
cowardice and further explained that violence was
resorted to when individual or group who perpetuated
violence were unable to convince others through
arguments, logic or persuasion. Therefore, such
elements became irrational and angry and in the
process picked up a gun to settle scores.
Elucidating peace was the only means for human beings
to progress, prosper and be content, the veteran
Congress Chief Minister said humanity had to rise
above negative emotions like anger, intolerance,
revenge, hate, bitterness and jealousy if it had to
progress and advance.
“World peace is more relevant today than ever before.
Even fifty years back, it hardly mattered to us what
happened in America or Afghanistan or Palestine”,
Jamir said. “But with the world becoming such a small
place due to technological advances, none of us live
on islands any more”.
He said they were all part of the global community and
the world was like one nation today.
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