Khurshid calls for harmony amid row over kanwar route dhaba names
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Agra: Amid tensions over dhabas named after Hindu deities in Muzaffarnagar, Congress veteran
Salman Khurshid
called for mutual respect and cultural understanding among communities, saying such gestures must not be viewed negatively when done respectfully.
Khurshid was in Muzaffarnagar on Sunday to meet local Congress workers.
Khurshid, former foreign minister, said, "If someone includes the deities or beliefs of others in their life as a mark of respect, especially during personal struggles, it should be seen positively." He was referring to the row around Pandit Ji Dhaba on Kanwar Route in Muzaffarnagar, where members of a Hindu outfit led by self-styled seer Swami Yashveer Maharaj allegedly attempted to pull down a staffer's pants to verify his religious identity.
Khurshid said, "Whoever did something wrong in this matter, I would say, it was not right."
He added, "We have lived together, and we believe in Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb. In this country, our identity is that of a citizen, linked to our beliefs and religion. But in our constitution, all religions have been given equal status. We all should respect this."
On political matters, he addressed speculation around the India alliance ahead of the Bihar assembly polls. "The top leaders discuss the alliance from time to time. The alliance has not broken yet, and no one has said that we do not have an alliance. Whatever success we achieved in the elections through the alliance is in front of everyone. What is the contribution of Congress to it, and what is the contribution of Samajwadi Party? They all know it.
Keeping in mind it our leaders will take further decisions on it."
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