National integration: Breath of fresh air clears gloom

Shilpa P | NT

At a time when there a huge chaos raging across the state regarding the hijab and saffron shawl, in a different and unique kind of heart-warming programme, the sense of national integration was displayed by over 120 Muslims, including women wearing both the hijab and the saffron shawl. A number of Hindu men sporting the skull cap added to the flavour. Over 100 Hindus and 30 Christians tied friendship bands to their Muslim brethren. Everyone hugged each other in perfect bonhomie. All this played out amid a child dressed up as Bharath Maatha.

They all held national flags and gave out messages of equality and unity in diversity. “We are all Indians, and humanity alone matters. We also respect one another’s culture. This issue should end soon,” one of them told NT.

This rare ‘National Integration’ celebration was held near the Gandhi statue in front of Mysuru Court on Saturday.

The event was hosted by scholar NM Naveen Kumar who has done his masters’ in public policy, government, and management from University of London. After that, he studied International Political economy from London School of Economics and Political Science in England.

Naveen Kumar who is also a young Congress leader from KR constituency of Mysuru, said, “India is a land of diverse cultures and from thousands of years, people from different backgrounds are living together in harmony and peace. This hostile atmosphere related to the hijab is created for political reasons. It is affecting young minds of children and also their education. This should be immediately stopped. The BJP government should focus on development.”

Mysuru City Congress president, R Murthy, members of Youth Congress and Women’s Congress wings, National Students’ Union of India, Seva Dal, Mysore Catholic Association, Father Guru Shanthu from Hardwick Church and others participated in the event.