With a message of 'peace, tolerance and love', the members of the Swaminarayan sect on Wednesday called for collective responsibility to curb acts of terrorism as Gujarat observed the first anniversary of the terrorist attack on Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar that killed 33 people on September 24 last year.
Head priest of the temple Swami Brahma Bihari told PTI: "Though Pramukh Swami of the sect was not present at the prayer assembly this morning, he has called for collective responsibility of humanity in curbing acts of terrorism."
In his message, Pramukh Swami said: "Grief is intense but God has given us strength to pray and overcome this grief.Such acts of terror must not happen in any country, to any group of people and for any reason whatsoever."
To a question, Swami Brahma Bihari said, "The gruesome incident had failed to dampen the faith of people as temple continues to receive 2.3 million pilgrims every year with greater and greater faith."
"It is a safe place and faith never really dies," he said.