The article's author argues that genuine interreligious unity should be formed directly in schools, temples, mosques, and churches, rather than at board meetings. He emphasizes that such initiatives must be led by pastors, gurus, and imams.
The article mentions that the interfaith forum was created to promote unity following an offensive statement by a pastor regarding 'milk porridge' during prayer. The author expresses surprise that such a forum should have appeared much earlier. He notes that every time a pastor, imam, or priest crosses the line, a similar scenario unfolds: press conferences, speeches about dialogue, and only then is a new forum established.
The author questions why this forum was not created earlier when Hindu worshippers and temples were subjected to ridicule for many years. He states that every such incident spawns a new committee, which then quietly disappears. True unity, in the author's view, cannot be signed in a meeting hall; it arises when a Hindu defends a mosque, a Christian attends Eid celebrations, and a Muslim supports a temple.
The author hopes that the new interfaith forum will be more effective than mere talk, but warns that hope alone is insufficient to build unity. It requires concrete actions, accountability, and, most importantly, respect. He cites Swami Vivekananda's saying: 'No religion surpasses. There is no God higher than truth.' The author concludes that the new forum must remember that unity must be lived, not just declared.
