Resolution adopted by the National Integration Council
The following is the text of the resolution adopted by the National Integration Council at its meeting today:
1. “The NIC meeting discussed various issues impacting on national integration and communal harmony such as caste, communal, regional and identity divisions, economic and regional disparities, inequitable development, need for empowerment of various disadvantaged groups, weaker sections and minorities, and the threats to national integrity and national integration emanating from terrorism and extremism in all its forms.
2. The meeting noted that the vast majority of Indians cutting across religious and cultural lines are peace-loving, believe in the spirit and idea of tolerance, communal harmony and the rule of law. They abhor violence, inhumanity and disorder in society.
3. The meeting recognized that unity in diversity and communal harmony constitute the bedrock of our nationhood and civilizational values. Preserving this unique heritage is the challenge of our times and the bounden duty of every citizen of India.
4. The meeting expressed concern at the recent incidents of communal and terrorist violence in various parts of the country. It resolved that the foundations of our civilization lie in secularism, equality, justice-social, economic and political and fraternity amongst all communities. These must be preserved and promoted at all costs, and towards this end, an environment of security for all sections of the society must also be ensured.
5. The meeting condemned all acts of violence, and covert and overt attempts to strike at the roots of our national integrity, solidarity and pluralism and all forms of extremism, terrorism and violence, and resolved to deal with all such challenges firmly and in accordance with the rule of law.
6. The meeting called upon all political parties, civil society organizations, citizens’ groups, religious, social and other opinion leaders, and the media to rise above narrow thinking or interests, and to act unitedly to defeat all forms of extremism and any attempt at division of our society on social, religious and communal lines.”
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OK/RS/SR
(Release ID :43625)