Emulate Thackeray, The Muslim tells Pak's religious fanatics
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's
address to party activists on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Indian
Independence struck a chord with the Pakistani daily, The Muslim.
In his midnight-hour speech, the Sena chief had administered
an oath to his party members to maintain religious harmony between Hindus and non-Hindus
and work for the progress of nation, irrespective of religion.
This change of stance by Thackeray was welcomed in the Indian
press. And now, in one of Pakistan's leading daily, The Muslim.
In a leading editorial, The Muslim has exhorted the fanatical
elements in Pakistan to emulate Thackeray's
act of rising above petty religious considerations.
In his speech, Thackeray had said: "We should work wholeheartedly for building a strong and united Hindustan.
We shall not discriminate between Hindus and non-Hindus and work
towards nation-building and its progress. On the occasion of the
golden jubilee of Hindustan's independence, we take a pledge that,
let we be of any religion, caste or sect, we shall not let
our religion came in the way of the nation's integrity, sovereignty and
progress. We all belong to one nation."
Commenting on his speech, The Muslim said: "We should welcome this deed of the Shiv Sena chief. It is an historic step forward by the Sena chief for building his nation. Not only
the rabid religious fundamentalists, but all sections in Pakistan
should take some wisdom from Thackeray's speech and start
working for the upliftment of Pakistan by sinking their religious and
sectarian differences."
In recent times, there has been a spate of Sunni-Shia riots in
Pakistan. The Pakistani government has enacted an anti-terrorism law
to curb violence, which, however, is criticised for
violating the fundamental rights of Pakistani citizens.
"If a hardliner like Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray can plead for
religious harmony for the upliftment and progress of his country
and state, why can't the hardliners in Pakistan sink their differences
for the same purpose," The Muslim asked.
Compiled by Prasanna Zorey from the Marathi media
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