New Delhi: The Dharmika Satsanga Vedika forum was launched on 31st August 2024 at Swarna Palace in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. This forum aims to enhance communal harmony and facilitate dialogues among leaders of various faiths across the state, contributing to interfaith cooperation and mutual respect in one of India’s most religiously diverse states.

The event was attended by distinguished religious leaders from multiple faiths, who came together to address misconceptions about religion and to strengthen communal ties. The forum’s main objective is to unite religious leaders to address social issues, instill moral values, and counter myths that create societal divisions.

The program was presided over by Chief Guest Professor Mohammed Saleem Engineer, Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, who discussed the role of the forum in fostering interfaith dialogue and harmony in Andhra Pradesh.

Representatives from various faith communities, including the Ramakrishna Mission, Christian organizations, Sikh groups, and Islamic scholars, were present. Mohammed Rafeeq, State President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Andhra Pradesh, emphasized the need for unity, respect, and interfaith dialogue to bridge communal divisions in the region.

Purpose and Vision
The Dharmika Satsanga Vedika forum aims to bring religious leaders together to discuss and promote initiatives that foster harmony and mutual understanding among people of different faiths. It seeks to dispel the myth that religion is a source of division, demonstrating that true religiosity unites people through shared values and respect for diverse beliefs.

Messages from the Leaders
Speakers emphasized the importance of respect and compassion across different faiths, noting that while beliefs and practices may differ, shared human values should prevail. They highlighted that divisions arise from misunderstandings or misuse of religion, not from religion itself. The forum advocates for more frequent and meaningful interactions among religious communities to enhance respect and harmony.

Professor Mohammed Salim Engineer stated, “The common humanity shared through stories like Adam and Eve highlights that our unity transcends individual religious backgrounds. Most religions advocate for love and coexistence, and those who use religion to divide others do not reflect the true spirit of their faith.”

Key Messages

Religious leaders and community representatives at the Dharmika Satsanga Vedika launch in Vijayawada.

Unity and Respect: Promote respect among faiths through common human values despite religious differences.
Dispel Misconceptions: Address and correct misconceptions that religion is a primary source of societal divisions.
Strengthen Moral Values: Enhance societal moral values through interfaith dialogue and cooperation, fostering a culture of respect and understanding.

The Dharmika Satsanga Vedika forum in Andhra Pradesh is part of a broader initiative with similar forums established in 13 other states across India. The event concluded with a call for continued dialogue among religious leaders to foster mutual respect and understanding across the region and beyond.