Islam is misinterpreted to youngsters who are brainwashed into terror activities, says Acharya Gopal Chandra Khatri

Referring to the ongoing cow census being conducted by an RSS-affiliated body, he said, “It is not good. In the name of cow census, the so-called gau rakshaks are going overboard. There are personal sentiments of people that need to be looked at.”

Khatri also alleged that politicians were using this opportunity to create communal divide for their own interest. “They should realise that if they start a fire it would consume them as well,” he said.

The seminar titled, ‘Peace and Human Integrity’, is part of several programmes being organised by JIH from August 21 to September 4. Several religious leaders spoke about the prevailing communal tension, and how it should be tackled.

“The aim is to bring an overall communal harmony in India. The seminar today has been organised because there is a need for an interaction among all religious leaders. We intend to put up a non-political, social forum for such an interaction,” said JIH president, Md Nooruddin.

Another panelist in the seminar, Abdul Aziz, president of Milli Ittehad Parishad, said there was a prevailing political storm in the country where Muslims and Dalits were being targetted. “Democracy is endangered. People are taking law in their own hands. There is a need for people of all religions to come together to get rid of this environment of intolerance,” he said.

Referring to the situation in Bengal, Aziz said, “There is no rule of law here and albeit no communal tension, but there is plenty of political violence. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seems to be more interested in taking the help of party cadres to deal with any law and order situation rather than the police.”