Sacred earth, shared humanity: IRSC peace conclave to be held on May 9

Speakers announce details of the peace conclave during a press conference on Thursday, April 30. Pics/ATUL KAMBLE

We need to build bridges of love and togetherness, demolish walls built by hate and division, was the message at an announcement about a forthcoming peace conclave in the city. The press conference to announce this was held on Thursday evening, April 30.

The Inter-Religious Solidarity Council (IRSC) will hold a conclave headlined ‘Sacred earth, shared humanity: Rethinking religious ethos in the age of crisis' at a venue in the Western suburbs on May 9.

Fr Frazer Mascarenhas, Jesuit priest and educator

The day-long conference will feature talks and cultural sessions. "In these deeply polarising times, this is an initiative to foster social harmony and peaceful coexistence," said Prabhu Keshav Chandra Das, convenor of IRSC and ISKCON functionary. Irfan Engineer, co-convenor, said, "All religions share common values such as compassion, truth, and service to humanity." The conclave will deliberate on two key themes: Rejecting extremism in all religions and living in harmony with nature.

Speaker highlights

Prabhu Keshav Chandra Das said, "Living in harmony with nature also means understanding that we humans are not owners of this earth, we are custodians." Fr Frazer Mascarenhas, Jesuit priest and educator, said, "Ethnocentrism is universal and can be positive as long as it does not become extreme and does not denigrate other cultures."

Dr Surinder Kaur, educator, said talk must be backed by action. "All religious intellectuals talk about peace, co-existence, but it has to be taken to the people, the masses. The conclave is a small step towards that. We have to take small steps, as Rome was not built in a day."

Journalist and author Rajni Bakshi stated she was a child of a family that had witnessed the horrors of Partition. "Reality is made of both light and darkness. Sometimes, conflict is inevitable, but violence is a choice."

Radhika Sood Nayak, singer, said, "I grew up in the strife-torn Punjab of the 80s, a burning Punjab, and eventually moved to Delhi, but had no hatred for anyone, even as a result of that. Performing at conclaves like the forthcoming one is what gives music its purpose. It is about how your craft weaves itself into what is happening."

Joy Sengupta, an actor, said, "There is a dire need for such initiatives - not just as a one-time event, but as a movement that reaches every community, every home, and every street."

May 9
Day of the Inter-Religious Solidarity Council (IRSC) conclave