LD CHIDAMBARAM 3 LAST

The Home Minister said there is also a sub-rule to the
golden rule as what is a minority in one place could well be
the majority in another place: for example, Muslims in Jammu
and Kashmir or Sikhs in Punjab.
"In such situations, the roles will be reversed.
Although a minority nation-wide, the Muslim community in Jammu
and Kashmir is bound by the golden rule as well as the tenets
of Islam to protect the minority communities in that state,"
he said.
Some think that the golden rule is dispensable or that
it can be applied selectively. It is that thought that is
pernicious. It is that thought that sows the seeds of
communalism, Chidambaram said.
He said everyone must always remember that pluralism is
our inheritance. "Pluralism should be our strength. It is only
due to the thoughtless words and actions of some that we have,
sadly, allowed our diversity to become differences".
"India thus became the most diverse multi-racial,
multi-religious and multi-lingual society in human history.
That is a matter of pride, especially when we see some
countries struggling to come to terms with their new-found
diversity," he said.
The Home Minister lauded the role played by Jamiat
during freedom struggle, nation building, and opposing the
two-nation theory espoused by the Muslim League.
"During the freedom struggle, hundreds of Muslim leaders
suffered and fought, shoulder to shoulder, with leaders
belonging to other faiths," he said. PTI