Indian activists call for ministry of peace, to end religious, caste or ethnic conflicts

Mangalore Today News Network

Feb 14, 2017: Reports confirm that at least 300 people working toward building peace in India have called on the government to establish a ministry for peace and allocate funds for peace-building activities among people embroiled in religious, caste or ethnic conflicts.

"We share a dream of building a civilization of love to counter the negative forces of violence, hatred and fundamentalism," Father Father Varghese Alengaden, president of the Universal Solidarity Movement during its recent national peace convention in Goa.

"Frequently we witness conflicts and bloodshed in the name of caste, creed, color and other petty identities. Common people and youth are brainwashed and misled by hatred and prejudice.

"Usually people are easily united for narrow and exclusive agenda than for a universal and inclusive mission," he added.

Some 280 delegates from 18 states wanted India to establish a peace ministry to encourage peace activities in India. They also wanted the government to make peace and non-violence a subject in schools and colleges.

Tushar Gandhi, a great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, challenged participants to stand up against injustice. He appealed to participants to become soldiers of peace by standing up against, hate speech.