CHIDAMBARAM 2

"I regard that decree as a call to duty to not only
Muslims but to all right thinking people. I would urge that
more voices be raised, loudly and clearly, against terrorism
and all forms of violence," Chidambaram said.
The Home Minister said a nation can ignore its minorities
only at its peril and the golden rule in a democracy is that
it is the duty of the majority community to protect the
minority, be it religious, racial or linguistic.
"It is a self-evident rule. It is a rule that is firmly
rooted in the universality of human rights. Hence, we have no
hesitation in invoking that rule when Tamils are denied their
rights in Sri Lanka or Indian students are assaulted in
Australia," he said.
Chidambaram said no one can view Islam as an alien faith
as the Muslim brethren are honoured citizens of India.
"This is the land of your forefathers; this is the land
of your birth; and this is where you will live and work. It is
a matter of pride for us that all major religions of the
world, including Islam, exist and thrive in India," he said.
The Home Minister said every one must deplore and fight
communalism whenever and wherever it manifests itself in word
or action as communalism is the negation of pluralism.
"Communalism also opposes modernity, rejects the idea of
civil society, and opposes political freedom to the people,"
he said.
Chidambaram said three lessons flow from a true
assessment of the perils of communalism : "Firstly, we must
strive to build a modern nation, secondly, we must reiterate
the concepts of a civil society. And thirdly, we must expand
the political freedoms and ensure that every person enjoys
those undeniable and inalienable freedoms," he said. (MORE)
PTI