LOOK AT EVERYONE AS A HUMAN BEING
People tend to divide society into groups and sects. This thinking is baseless. We should see everyone as a human being, and behave with them accordingly.
I undertook a journey to Madras (Chennai) in February 1993. The trip was organized under the Shanti Yatra (Peace Mission). The route was as follows: Delhi, Madras, Kanchipuram, Mangalore, Sringeri, Bombay, Pune, and Delhi. Along with me, the following individuals were also part of this trip: Acharya Sushil Kumar, Swami Chidanand, Madhu Mehta, Shantilal Muttha, and Nigel Edmond Tully.
We departed for Madras from Delhi via Indian Airlines Flight 439. Acharya Sushil Kumar, Swami Chidanand, and Nigel Tully were part of this caravan from Delhi. Upon reaching Madras, Mr. Madhu Mehta and Mr. Shantilal Muttha joined us. Both of them had come directly from Bombay to Madras.
During the journey from Delhi to Madras, Acharyaji and Swamiji discussed how peace and harmony can be established in the country. Both agreed that unbiased and selfless religious personalities should come forward. Only such people can play an effective role at this time. Swamiji said that the biggest obstacle to better human relations is the ego. The ‘I’ creates conflict in the mind; if the ‘I’ could be eliminated, there would be unity.
I had to go to Sringeri from Madras. So, from there, we departed for Kanchipuram by car. We reached there around 1:30 p.m. We met for almost two hours with the Shankaracharya of Kanchipuram—Jagat Guru Shankaracharya. He was both venerable and humble. His simplicity was quite impressive. Although he seemed very straightforward at first glance, it became evident after the conversation that he was brilliant. He was fully aware of the circumstances and gave a well-thought-out opinion on every matter. He also appeared quite knowledgeable about the conditions of Muslims.
The Shankaracharya’s remarks summarized that the dispute between temples and mosques should be resolved so that the country’s peace is not disturbed. Because if there is no peace in the country, nothing else can be done afterward.
On the same day, we returned to Madras from Kanchipuram.
We went from Madras to Mangalore via Indian Airlines. Our plane landed at Mangalore Airport at 10 a.m. From there, we travelled by car. This journey was made to meet the Shankaracharya of Sringeri.
I had a wonderful encounter with the Shankaracharya. He fully supported our Peace Mission. During our conversation, he mentioned that righteousness does not mean religion but duty. It is the political figures who have equated righteousness with religion. Righteousness is an individual’s conduct, like the righteousness of a man, a king, and so on. The term ‘Hindu’ is not found in our scriptures. These leaders are the ones who have given ‘Hindu’ the meaning it holds today.
Mr. Madhu Mehta added that everything in this country has become a business; even spirituality has become a commodity.
Swami Chidanand kept sharing interesting insights. Once, he said, “Love is a currency that operates everywhere in the world.” Then he added poetically, “Illuminate with the light of love, and dispel the darkness of enmity.”
At 10 o’clock, we arrived at Mangalore Airport. We spent some time in the lounge. People were conversing among themselves. I was quietly listening. A Hindu brother said we cannot afford the politics of hate and communalism. He also mentioned that he owned a factory in Bombay where he manufactured goods for export. There has not been any communal unrest in his area, but 95% of his workforce flees when news of communal violence spreads. Now, my industry is stagnant. How can the country progress like this?
We boarded an Indian Airlines flight to Bombay from Mangalore. After spending two hours in Bombay, according to the program, we departed for Pune via car. Mr. Shantilal Muttha asked me to sit in the rear seat. After almost an hour, I got up and sat in the back seat. I was looking out of the window. Shantilal Muttha asked whether I would like tea, a cold drink, etc. I said no. I could get down and pray if a mosque was on the roadside. He said the mosque was behind us. Immediately, the car stopped. I got down, prayed there, and then we proceeded ahead.
At sunset, we arrived in Pune. Initially, we stayed in Mr. Shantilal Muttha’s office. After some time, Mr. Abdul Samad and Mr. Mohammad Yunus arrived. I went with these people to New Era Colony. My stay was at Mr. Mohammad Yunus’s place. Many people from Pune came here after hearing the news. We kept talking with them until around 11:30 at night.
I particularly emphasized the need for better Hindu-Muslim relations. Most Muslims tend to divide society into groups and sects, saying so and so is from this community; and so and so is from that community. This kind of thinking is entirely baseless. The actual Islamic teaching is to see everyone from a human perspective. Group affiliations are always secondary. The fundamental thing is that everyone is a human being, and we should deal with them accordingly.
