(May 26, 2011) Seven leaders from four major religions on May 23 met the Madhya Pradesh
governor to press the state to promote better inter-religious harmony. Buddhist,
Christian, Hindu and Muslim leaders asked the government to open new programs with
an inter-religious prayer. Their memorandum also demanded that the government consider
all religions for naming new schemes and teach summaries of all religions. The Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP, Indian people’s party), which has ruled the state since 2003, allegedly
promotes only Hinduism in the state. The party is considered the political wing of
Hindu right wing groups. Father Anand Muttungal, spokesman of the Catholic Church
in the state, said Governor Rameshwar Thakur agreed with “our demands” in principle.
The governor also promised to send the memorandum to the state government for appropriate
action. S. C. Patidar, a Hindu delegate, said the government should give equal preference
to all religions. He criticized the government for giving new schemes names associated
with Hindu religion. Quazi Amanullah, a Muslim delegate, agreed and pointed out that
India is not a theocratic state, but a secular country that respects all religions.
“When all religions get adequate representation, greater harmony and understanding
would prevail,” he added.