Peaceful coexistence, unity, harmony define India: Ramchander Rao at ‘Iftar’

Telangana BJP president Ramchander Rao emphasizes India's unity and harmony among diverse faiths during an Iftar gathering in Hyderabad.

The true strength of India lies in ‘unity, brotherhood, and mutual respect’, where people freely celebrate festivals according to their faiths and traditions, Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao said on Sunday.

Speaking at an Iftarhosted by the BJP’s minority wing, Mr. Rao said India’s pluralistic ethos was unique in the world. “Christians, Sikhs, Muslims, Parsis and Hindus live together here with a spirit of brotherhood. The tradition of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb thrives in this country, and such harmony is rarely seen elsewhere,” he said.

Emphasising religious freedom, he said, “Those who believe in Allah should be free to offer prayers in their own way, just as devotees of Lord Ram should be free to offer flowers at his feet. Followers of Jainism and other faiths have their own traditions. No one should object to anyone’s beliefs.”

India’s strength, Mr. Rao said, lies in people of all religions choosing to live together peacefully. He recalled the Prime Minister’s slogan ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas ( Together with all, development for all, trust of all, and efforts by all)’, saying it reflected the spirit of collective progress and inclusive governance. Irrespective of religion or region, he said, “first and foremost, we are all Indians,” united by a shared resolve to take the nation forward together.

Earlier, welcoming former BRS leaders into the BJP, Mr. Rao said the party’s ‘uncompromising fight’ against the ‘anti-people policies’ of the Congress government in Telangana was attracting leaders and citizens alike. He alleged that the proposed ‘unscientific’ division of the GHMC was driven by political motives.