Thaindian News

New Delhi, August 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday said the government and civil society groups must keep an eye on and protest against those who resort to violence in the name of religion to spread disharmony.
“I believe that both the government and civil society groups must continuously watch and raise our voice against groups and individuals who use violence in the name of religion,” the prime minister said at a function to present the Kabir Puraskar and National Communal Harmony Awards for the years 2007 and 2008.

The awards were given away by President Pratibha Patil.

Manmohan Singh said: “No religion sanctions violence. No religion preaches hatred. No religion endorses animosity towards another human being. Those who use religious symbols and forums to talk of violence, sectarianism and discord cannot be said to be true spokesperson of their respective religion.”

Those present at the awards function included Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani and Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken.

Ram Puniyani and Dominic Emmanuel were given the National Communal Harmony Awards in the individual category while Setu Charitable Trust and Anjuman Sari-e-Gul Faroshan got it under the organisations category. The Kabir Puraskar awardees were Khalifa Gufran, Abdul Gani Abdullabhai Qureshi and Ghulam Ahmad Bhat.

The National Communal Harmony Award honours outstanding contribution of individuals and organisations to the cause of communal harmony, promotion of secular values and national integration.

The Kabir Puraskar recognises physical or moral courage and humanity exhibited by members of one community in saving the life and property of members of another community.

The prime minister said: “We also know that all societies, including ours, have to contend with such preachers of disharmony and disagreement. That is why it is all the more important to recognize and applaud those like today’s distinguished award winners.”