‘Religious harmony must for social development’

Davanagere, Mar 21: Students Islamic Organization of India, Karnataka zone, in association with Department of Social Work (MSW), Davangere University, organized a one day national symposium at Davangere university on ‘Religious Harmony and Social Development’ recently.

Inaugurating the function Anjan Kumar S.T, Deputy Commissioner, Davangere, called upon the youth to be more responsible and become a force of change. He said that religious harmony is must for social development.

Labeed shafi, Karnataka zone president of SIO, expressed concern over the animosity erupted among different communities due to misunderstandings about religions. He said that that education system should provide an opportunity to conduct open research on religions.

He said that people of all communities should bury their differences and get together to address the problems faced by the nation.

Prof. Sridhar, Visiting fellow, National Law School, Bengluru, delivered a talk on ‘Impact of religious harmony on social development’. He himself being a human right activist expressed a concern that many people are denied basic human rights in this society based on their community and caste.

Mr. Khan Yasir, Research Scholar from Delhi University also presented a research paper on ‘Conflict Resolution and Role of Individual’. He in detail presented that how conflicts arise and what should be collective and individual role in resolving the conflicts. The two thematic presentations were followed by good interactive sessions with students.

Dr C Somashekar, University registrar and Pradeep B.S, Chariman for Social work Department were also present.

Symposium concluded with valedictory session wherein various religious leaders, Omkara Shivacharya Swamiji, Lal Hussain kandagal and Rev.Fr Kuriakose took part. Prof. N.K Gowda Dean, Davangere University, presided over. All the religious leaders were of the same opinion that all religions preach peace and harmony but it is its followers who misinterpret it.

Opinions were collected from participants and they expressed that the program cleared their misinterpretations about religions and felt that more such programs should be conducted.