Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday described Jammu & Kashmir as a living embodiment of "Sarva Dharma Sambhav" — the spirit of coexistence among all faiths — saying the region has for centuries remained home to almost all major religions of the world.
Addressing the 'Rishivar' Inter-Faith Conference at SKICC Srinagar, the LG drew on ancient Indian scriptures including the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Atharva Veda and the Bhagavad Gita to trace the deep roots of religious harmony in Indian civilisation, asserting that coexistence was not merely an idea in India but a way of life thousands of years ago.
Highlighting Kashmir's rich spiritual legacy, Sinha referenced Emperor Ashoka's promotion of communal tolerance, the philosophical teachings of Vasugupta's Shiv Sutras, and the timeless messages of mystic poet Lal Ded and Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani (Nund Rishi), who preached unity and harmony across religious traditions.
Citing Kalhana's Rajatarangini, the LG said there is not even "a tiny piece of land in J&K devoid of pilgrimage and sacredness," adding that such a beautiful confluence of diverse traditions is rarely seen anywhere else in the world.
On governance and citizenship, Sinha said that while people follow different religions, "today there is only one supreme dharma for all citizens — the Constitution of India," urging every public servant and citizen to work according to its values.
The LG also touched on the migration of Kashmiri Pandits, saying ordinary Kashmiris were not responsible for what happened in the Valley, and praised J&K's remarkable performance in nationwide 'Vande Mataram' celebrations, where the Union Territory ranked number one nationally across all three phases.
Referring to the anti-drug campaign launched on April 11, Sinha said the public response had been unprecedented and expressed confidence that with sustained collective effort, the menace could be significantly curbed within the next 100 days.
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