: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiran Rijiju has said that religious teaching may prevent the Government from using power to establish harmony. He, however, also added that using external force to create a peaceful environment in strife-torn areas was “not a very happy situation.”
“Religious teachings and knowledge are the most powerful. If the teachings are spread everywhere, then we would not need to use power to stop violence. In the Home Ministry, we need to enforce peace externally through the use of armed forces. But if religious teachings go deep into the minds of every individual of society, then why would we need force,” the junior Home Minister said.
Mr Rijiju was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Karmayogi Kripasaran Mahasthavir, the founder of the Bengal Buddhist Association, Mr. Rijiju said religious texts were powerful to help attain peace. Kripasaran Mahasthavir is considered to be the revivalist of the Buddhist culture in India.
There is a lot of political unrest and challenges in North East India, Jammu and Kashmir and central India, Mr. Rijiju said, adding that people were trying to create turbulences in the country.
“The teachings of Lord Buddha or dharma shastra are more powerful than violence. Lord Buddha’s teachings should not be taken as mere religious discourse. They are scientific and his message of love and compassion apply to all… His teachings are more relevant today in these times of conflict than they ever were,” he said.
