Srinagar, Jun 4: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said Jammu & Kashmir has, for centuries, embodied the spirit of “Sarva Dharma Sambhav” and stands as one of the world’s finest examples of coexistence and communal harmony.
Addressing the ‘Rishivar’ Inter-Faith Conference at SKICC Srinagar, the LG said the idea of harmony and mutual respect is deeply rooted in Indian civilisation. He referred to ancient Vedic texts, stating that the Rigveda highlights the presence of divine light in all human beings and promotes harmony without discrimination.
Sinha said Jammu & Kashmir has historically been home to multiple faiths and traditions, making it a “living example” of India’s civilisational ethos. He added that while many societies embraced the idea of coexistence in modern times, India has followed it since ancient periods as part of its cultural foundation.
Referring to Sanatan Dharma, the LG said it is among the world’s oldest spiritual traditions and has survived through history because of its emphasis on acceptance, respect, and coexistence. He also cited verses from the Atharva Veda, Yajurveda, and Bhagavad Gita to underline the philosophy of unity in diversity.
Highlighting Kashmir’s heritage, Sinha referred to historical texts like Rajatarangini and said Srinagar was associated with Emperor Ashoka, who promoted religious tolerance. He quoted Ashokan edicts stressing that insulting other faiths ultimately weakens one’s own religion.
The LG also invoked the region’s spiritual traditions, mentioning figures such as Lal Ded and Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani (Nund Rishi), crediting them with strengthening harmony and shared cultural values in Kashmir. He said the Rishi-Sufi tradition represents a unique synthesis of beliefs.
Sinha said all faiths have found “confluence” in Jammu & Kashmir and described it as a rare blend of traditions. He reiterated that “Sarva Dharma Sambhav” remains India’s enduring gift to humanity.
He further said that while people follow different religions, the Constitution of India is the “supreme dharma” for all citizens, and public service must be guided by constitutional values.
On governance issues, the LG said Jammu & Kashmir performed exceptionally in national cultural programmes, including the “Vande Mataram” campaign, where several districts ranked among top performers. He also said the Union Territory secured first position nationally across all phases of the initiative.
Sinha added that misconceptions about Kashmir outside the region often do not reflect ground realities, and said Kashmiri people have a strong understanding of India’s ethos.
Referring to the anti-drug campaign launched on April 11, he said it received strong public support and expressed hope that collective efforts could significantly curb drug abuse in the coming months.
