Kashmiri Pandit takes on 'intolerance' with hugs

01 December,2015 08:24 AM IST |   |  Agencies

Inspired by a Muslim man who stood blindfolded in Paris — after the November 13 terrorist attacks — asking people to embrace him, Dr Sandeep Mawa replicated the act outside Srinagar’s Press Colony

Mawa said the basic aim of the campaign is to promote brotherhood, interfaith dialogue, tolerance and also build bridges between people of different communities


Srinagar: Amid a raging debate on growing intolerance in the country, a Kashmiri Pandit stood blindfolded in the heart of the city inviting people to hug him to exhibit brotherhood between various communities in the Valley.


United we stand: Mawa said the basic aim of the campaign is to promote brotherhood, interfaith dialogue, tolerance and also build bridges between people of different communities. Representation Pic/thinkstock

Inspired by a Muslim man who stood blindfolded in Paris asking people to embrace him if they trusted him after the November 13 attacks, Sandeep Mawa, a doctor by profession, stood at Press Colony here asking people to hug him. He was accompanied by members from Sikh and Muslim community, who embraced people irrespective of their religion to send a message of tolerance.

"We, all humans, are alike. When God has not differentiated between us, why should there be any division? There should not be any intolerance. This is the message we want to send across," said Mawa, who is the chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Reconciliation Front.

He added that the basic aim of the campaign is to promote universal brotherhood, interfaith dialogue, tolerance and also build bridges between people of different communities within the state.

Mawa also said politicians should leave the people of Kashmir alone and desist from ‘dividing' the people. He even asked the Centre to talk to Pakistan for ‘addressing Kashmir issue'.

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