India always propagated philosophical endorsement of life ‘live and let live’: Krishna Gopal

New Delhi, Aug 5: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) believes that inclusiveness of Indian society has been eroded with the foreign aggression of thousands of years. And division on the basis of caste manifested itself causing differences in the society.

Speaking on the inclusiveness of Indian society at Indira Gandhi National Open University, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh joint general secretary Krishna Gopal said that India had always propagated in the various scriptures as philosophical endorsement of an intense sense of life - 'live and let live' through the state-sponsored cardinal principles of 'Liberty, Equality and Fraternity' for all but liberty and equality are meaningless without fraternity.

Krishna Gopal said that India with its all diversities and pluralism lived a long history of thousands of years since ancient times with practice of inclusion and assimilation. "National discourse on inclusion is even more relevant today when there is socio-economic disparity in our society apart from division on the basis of caste and religion," said Krishna Gopal.

Prof Swaraj Basu, Director, SOSS of IGNOU, said that the concept of inclusiveness is ingrained in the collective consciousness of India. Indian national character has been able to withstand onslaught of outsiders because of inclusive nature that is philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.

Prof. D. Gopal Head, Centre for Gandhi and Peace Studies, SOSS, said that the conference would attempt to draw particular attention to the problem of identity, to the various conceptions and misconceptions, to the enactment of identity by individuals, groups and out-groups; to the modes of construction, the borders, the stability as well as the evolutions, the homogeneity as well as the heterogeneities which are thus attributed to them.

Explaining the conference's aim, Prof. Gopal further said that it will look for the public and concealed transcripts of nationalist inclusions throughout India through the lens of religion, culture, region, language, gender, politics, economy and ethnicity. Its primary focus is to unveil and critically engage with social, political and economic inclusion beyond the different forms of discrimination, prejudice and marginalization.

Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot highlighted the contribution made by Balasaheb B R Ambedkar through the articulation of various articles in the constitution of India to preserve and enhance the inclusiveness in the society which at that time was mired with ills like untouchability apart from socio-economic divisions. He said that Babasaheb described nationality as a "consciousness of kind, awareness of the existence of that tie of kinship."

Prof. Nageshwar Rao, VC, IGNOU drew attention to the importance of involving the youth in such endeavours as they are the ones who would bring about the change in the society making it inclusive. He urged for their participation in the discourse through various activities.