A historic gathering of Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and Buddhist leaders in New Delhi stresses the need for unity in safeguarding India’s pluralistic heritage
NEW DELHI — In a powerful show of interfaith solidarity, leaders from the Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and Buddhist communities gathered in the capital at the weekend for a significant conference organised by the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM). The event was a rallying call to preserve India’s pluralistic fabric and resist forces seeking to divide society for political gains.
Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, President of AIMMM, kicked off the conference with a stirring address that cited Quranic verses (Surah Al-Hujurat 11-13) and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on equality. “Islam makes no distinction among people—no Arab over non-Arab, no white over black. Piety alone defines worth,” Dr Khan said, underscoring the inclusive nature of Islam. He also quoted Hadrat Ali’s famous words, “People are either your brothers in faith or your equals in humanity,” to emphasise the need for unity. “Our nation can only progress if we show mutual respect,” he stressed, condemning those who fuel hatred for political purposes.
Sardar Daya Singh, President of the All India Peace Mission, spoke passionately about the deep historical bond between Sikhs and Muslims. Refuting myths of Sikh-Muslim enmity, he reminded the audience that Sikh Gurus had close ties with Mughal emperors, and Muslims had offered shelter to Sikhs during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. “Guru Nanak praised Babur. Akbar gifted land for Amritsar, and a Sufi saint laid the Golden Temple’s foundation,” Singh recalled. He also condemned recent laws targeting Waqf properties and Dalit conversion rights, calling them “injustices dividing India.”
Former MP Dr Ram Bakhsh Verma, who has experienced both RSS involvement and secular politics, accused the RSS of hypocrisy in their opposition to the Constitution. “They opposed India’s Constitution, just as Hitler manipulated Germany,” he remarked, drawing a parallel between the current political climate and past authoritarian regimes. Dr Verma also highlighted the historical role of Muslims in India’s struggle for independence, mentioning figures like Bahadur Shah Zafar and Begum Hazrat Mahal as symbols of sacrifice and patriotism.
Advocate Firoz Khan Ghazi, General Secretary of SAMLA, raised concerns about the growing Islamophobia in the country. “The Constitution’s preamble promises unity, but today’s rulers aim to humiliate Muslims. If we don’t resist, India will fracture,” Ghazi warned. He also credited the Mughals with uniting the Indian subcontinent, creating an “Akhand Bharat” by integrating hundreds of princely states.
Rajendra Pal Gautam, former Delhi minister, highlighted the link between anti-minority violence and caste-based oppression. “The real fight is not Hindu vs. Muslim, but about power. Dalits and Adivasis are converting to escape the brutality of Manusmriti, and they are being targeted for it,” Gautam stated. He called on activists to reach out to slums, where many rioters are recruited, to address the root causes of social unrest.
Prof Mohammad Suleman, Working President of AIMMM and head of the Indian National League, urged grassroots mobilisation to counter what he described as “capitalist-fascist alliances” undermining India’s secular fabric. “We must fight the growing intolerance that threatens our democratic values,” Suleman stressed. Similarly, Dr MD Thomas, President of the Institute of Harmony and Peace Studies, denounced the misuse of religion by some individuals for political purposes. “Religion, in its true essence, is a force for good. We must work together to ensure that it is not exploited for division,” he said.
The event concluded with a renewed pledge to combat hate through interfaith solidarity. Attendees, including many students from Jamia Millia Islamia, echoed the message of mutual respect and cooperation. “We will stand united, against any force that tries to divide us,” one student shared, reflecting the conference’s central theme.
This gathering of prominent leaders served as a timely reminder of India’s rich tradition of pluralism and the collective responsibility to preserve its inclusive spirit, despite growing challenges. The call for unity and the rejection of divisive politics resonated deeply among the attendees, signalling a hopeful step towards social harmony in an increasingly polarised society.
