Author:
Publication: The Times of India
Date: April 26, 2002
Introduction: Mahavir's message
of tolerance is part of Indian ethos: PM
India needs no lessons in secularism
from the West because secularism is part of the innate message of Bhagwan
Mahavir's philosophy of non-violence and tolerance, Prime Minister Atal
Behari Vajpayee said on Thursday
He made the remark while speaking
at the concluding ceremony of the year-long programme to celebrate the
2600th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavir. Mr Vajpayee said that normalcy
would return to Gujarat, ending "momentary disruptions". The PM's comment
was a clear response to strictures passed by several countries as well
as the European Union for the government's failure to contain communal
violence in Gujarat.
On Wednesday, India had objected
to the observations made by foreign nations on the Gujarat situation, alleging
that some foreign missions were "deliberately leaking" their internal reports,
leading to the impression that they were playing a partisan role.
India had said such actions were
contrary to well-established norms of diplomacy and injurious to the friendly
relations between India and the EU as well as individual European countries.
While Britain on Thursday denied that it was working with its citizens
of Gujarati origing to file cases against Gujarat chief minister Narendra
Modi, Canada justified its concern by saying that it was a "strong friend"
of India.
Mr Vajpayee said that the need to
remember Mahavir and the basic tenets of Jainism had acquired a new urgency
and relevance in the backdrop of the current strife. "Disruptions are temporary,
things will be alright again shortly," he said. The importance of Bhagwan
Mahavir's teachings was borne out by the reassurance offered by them in
such troubled times, the PM added.
"Pluralism, secularism, such concepts
began with Mahavir's message. In the rush of today's materialism, we need
some support that will take us along the path of spiritual fulfilment,"
Mr Vajpayee said.
In his first reaction to a spate
of critical comments from other countries, the PM significantly took refuge
in the long and rich spiritual tradition of the country.
