He was talking at an event 'Celebrating India-- An inclusive dialogue on the Indian ethos of tolerance, pluralism, and peaceful co-existence for all religions and people'.
Recalling that he was meted out the same treatment as Aamir Khan by none other than then Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, Justice BN Srikrishna (Retd) recalled how he was asked to be sent to Pakistan and that he be given Nishaan-e -Pakistan. He quipped, "I am to yet receive the Nishan-e-Pakistan."
After submitting the 1992-93 riots' report there was mayhem in the public sphere for Srikrishna. "I asked the then chief minister if he understood the difference between Hindusim and Hindutva. He was candid enough to admit that he did not. I explained to him that Hinduism is what I follow and Hindutva is what he does for his political gains."
He was talking at an event 'Celebrating India-- An inclusive dialogue on the Indian ethos of tolerance, pluralism, and peaceful co-existence for all religions and people'. Organised by Wisdom Foundation at St Xavier's College, it was attended by Srikrishna, Ram Puniyani, and Dr Zaheer Kazi of Anjuman-e- Islam and religious leaders from different faiths and academicians.
He questioned the debate on intolerance, stating that it meant tolerating someone while society is not to be understood that way. Recalling words of Sankaracharya, Srikrishna said, "The good lord resides in you as much as others. In every person they should see his reflection."
Talking further about secularism, Srikrishna said, "Acharya Vinoba Bhave had clarified what secularism is. It is not being irreligious. Everyone is governed by some religion and it is necessary at some level. Secularism means all religions are equal."
Dr Zaheer Kazi, president of Anjuman-I-Islam, said, "There are uncalled for statements being passed on the Muslim community by the president of the United States. While the Paris attack should be condemned, so should the attack in Turkey and anywhere else."
Kazi questioned the regular questioning of loyalty of Muslims and said that secularism should be both ways. "When RBI governor Narayan Murthy makes remarks on intolerance, nothing is said. But, when Aamir Khan says something, he is asked to go to Pakistan. We cannot ask someone to be secular when we are not secular."
Highlighting the importance of the meet, Zeenat Shaukat Ali, director general of Wisdom Foundation said, "There is a lot of separation of heart. The idea is to get everyone together." Prof. Ram Punyani added, "They are spreading the divisive politics of RSS. One should remember what Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad said about religions. For Azad religion was about uniting people and Gandhi said that he can die for his religion but never kill."
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