President Pranab Mukherjee speaks at the launch of the All India Parmo Dharma Awareness Campaign at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Asserting that inter-religious and communal violence is "insanity" manifested, President Pranab Mukherjee today said a few individuals alone cannot be blamed as "our inaction" has created an atmosphere where violence begets violence.
Calling for urgently bringing back sanity into "our midst," the President said time has come to say enough is enough.
"Humanity cannot tolerate this anymore. We must save humanity and civilisation. This cannot be done by Parliament or law enforcement machinery alone. It has to be achieved through a collective effort of society at large," he said addressing an all-faith campaign.
Mr Mukherjee said it was high-time the country re-set its moral compass. "With every act of violence, we are crucifying Jesus Christ again and again. With each act of violence, we are repeating the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
"A few individuals alone cannot be blamed for the violence in our society. Our general apathy and tolerance of violence is an equal culprit. Our inaction has created an atmosphere where violence begets violence," he said at a function of 'All India Ahimsa Parmo Dharma Awareness Campaign' at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
Making a fervent appeal for collective efforts to spread the message of peace, harmony and non-violence, the President said, "A country which cannot protect and honour its mothers, sisters and daughters cannot consider itself civilised."
Calling for creation of a violence-free society, he said "non-violence and peace is a primary teaching of our civilisation. No religion preaches violence. Every religion speaks of love, compassion and service.
"India is a five thousand year old civilisation where Lord Buddha and Bhagwan Mahavira preached non-violence. India has always accommodated all faiths, beliefs, religious practices and customs".
Asking people to revisit the history, he said people remember only those who have advocated non-violence and not those who were conquerors and rulers.
"Jesus Christ and Lord Buddha changed the course of civilisation. Their teachings have been followed by millions of people for centuries. Timurlane, Ghenghiz Khan and Nazis have been only footnotes of history," he pointed out.
"Let us not forget the teachings of history. Nothing can be achieved by violence. Everything can be gained through love and compassion. No religion condones violence. It is a complete perversion to spread violence in the name of religion," he said.
Praising the inter-faith initiative, the President thanked the Braham Kumaris and their partner organizations for coming together in an exemplary fashion.
He said as they take up a series of programmes and activities, he has no doubt that they will motivate others to join them in spreading the message of ahimsa.
Different religious leaders who spoke on the occasion included Dadi Janki, the 97-year-old Chief of the Brahma Kumaris.
She said culture of peace, harmony and non-violence can be created through cultivation of truth, love, purity, patience and perseverance.
Others who spoke at the function included National Trustee of Bahai Community of India A.K. Merchant, Delhi Catholic Archdiocese Director (Communications) Father Dominic Emmanuel, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Secretary Ejaz Ahmed Aslam.
All the leaders called for harmony among different communities and reiterated that all religions stand for peace and non-violence.