Kochi, Sep 26 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said the all-religion meet held 100 years ago under the leadership of renowned social reformer Sree Narayana Guru conveyed the message that the core essence of all religions is fundamentally the same.
He added that the values discussed in the 1924 inter-faith conference remain relevant today and continue to hold significance.
Vijayan said this while inaugurating a seminar organised by the EMS Study Centre at the Aluva Advaita Ashram on the occasion of the centenary of the Aluva interfaith conference.
This year is the centenary of the inter-faith conference held under Sree Narayana Guru’s leadership in 1924 at the Aluva Advaita Ashram.
“The all-religion meet, which was held 100 years ago, conveyed the message that the core essence of all religions is fundamentally the same,” Vijayan said.
He said at a time when Gaza is burning, the message of the Aluva interfaith gathering gains relevance.
“This is a time when human blood is being spilled in many parts of the world. Entire populations are being wiped out in brutal ethnic attacks, as seen in places like the Gaza Strip. In such times, the slogan “Pala Matasaramvum Ekam” (all religions share a common essence) and the message of the interfaith gathering in Aluva become especially relevant.
“The realisation that the essence of all religions is the same—human goodness—can help bring an end to these violent conflicts. That awareness radiated from Aluva a century ago. This profound message of humanity will serve to extinguish the flames of ethnic hatred and racism in our present era,” Vijayan said in his speech.
He said the message of the all-religion meet at Aluva should be spread across the world.
Referring to the recent death of a woman staff member of EY, Vijayan said the labour laws in our country are being amended to give employers the freedom to hire workers without significant restrictions.
He said today, we are witnessing the destruction of humanity at the hands of ruthless capitalism.
However, Guru foresaw this long ago, he added.
“Labour laws in our country are being amended to give employers the freedom to hire workers without significant restrictions. This has even led to young people losing their lives. Recently, a young woman died due to excessive work pressure. Some governments are even justifying the imposition of mandatory overtime,” Vijayan said.
He added that it was in this context that the conference then highlighted the dangers of overwork.
“In modern times, many conveniently overlook the fact that countries with shorter average working hours often rank higher on the Human Development Index. How meaningful, then, is it that as early as 1924, the Guru and the conference emphasised that the common good of humanity cannot be achieved through excessive labour,” Vijayan said.
He said efforts are being made in the country today to revive and reintroduce many things that were set aside even a century ago.
“There are interventions in the country that use religion as a criterion for citizenship. Criminal laws are being designed to target specific religious groups. The minorities and Dalits are being attacked like never before,” he added.
Sree Narayana Guru propagated the message of ‘One Caste, One Religion and One God for Mankind’.
The 19th century spiritual guru and social reformer was born into a backward Ezhava family in an era when people from such communities faced social injustice in the caste-ridden society of Kerala. PTI RRT RRT SA
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