India has been one of the biggest victims of terrorism, especially a cross-border terrorism and there cannot be double standards on religious fear, said the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations at a high-level event on hate speech at the global forum. Told.
Ambassador TS Tirumurti said combating the issue should not be a “selective exercise” involving only one or two religions, but should equally apply to fears against non-Abrahamic religions.
Tirumurti addressed an event to mark the first anniversary of the International Day on Combating Hate Speech, titled ‘Hate Speech and the Role of Education to Advance Inclusion, Non-Discrimination and Address the Root Causes of Peace’ ‘.
Tirumurti said, “As we have emphasized, combating religious fear should not be a selective practice involving only one or two religions, but should be applied equally against non-Abrahamic religions as well. Unless this is done, such international days will not achieve their objectives. There cannot be a double standard on religiophobia.’
The event was organized by the Permanent Mission of Morocco and the United Nations Office on Responsibility for Genocide Prevention and Security. Tirumurti said India’s multicultural edifice over the centuries has made it a safe haven for all who seek refuge in India, whether from the Jewish community or Parsis or Tibetan or from their own neighbourhood. “It is the inherent strength of our nation which has faced radicalization and terrorism over a period of time,” he said.
The envoy said that with this sense of history, India continues to play a decisive role in combating radicalization and terrorism and promoting tolerance and inclusion.
“Mistakes are dealt with within our legal framework and we do not need selective outrage from outsiders, especially when they are selfish – even communal in nature, and pursue a divisive agenda.” do,” he said.
Stating that education has an important role to play in combating extremism, violent extremism and terrorism, the envoy called on countries to develop an education system that truly contributes to counter terrorism by promoting the principles of pluralism and democracy. does.
He said that the biggest defense against intolerance and hatred is to adopt the principles of democracy, where there are necessary checks and balances and where any deviation is addressed within the bounds of the rule of law.
“Societies based on pluralism, where every religion is respected, is an essential condition of tolerance and harmony,” Tirumurti said, adding that the pluralistic tradition was adopted in a resolution piloted by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt on International Human Day. has been recognized. Fraternity.
“India has embraced both these principles – democracy and pluralism. And we call upon all countries to adhere to these principles to ensure that intolerance is addressed within the constitutional framework,” the Indian envoy said.
The statement came hours before the blasts at a gurdwara in Kabul’s Bagh-e-Bala area killed two people, including a Sikh, and injured seven others.
On earlier occasions too, India has called for concerted efforts by the international community to combat hatred and violence not only against Abrahamic religions but against all religions, including Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism.
(with PTI inputs)
