Rashtra dharma is above all religions, says PM

Against the backdrop of 'intolerance' debate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said "rashtra dharma' is above all religions and that India's contribution to the world is not communalism but spiritualism, regarding which he invoked former President A P J Abdul Kalam.
He regretted that the world has failed to understand the people of India properly as he praised the saints and religious leaders for their contribution to the country's legacy.
"India is a country, which has not tried to bind the world in a particular sect... We are the people whom the world has probably not understood in the manner in which we should have been understood," Modi said addressing a gathering here via video conferencing to mark the release of a book written by Jain Acharya Ratnasundersuriswarji Maharaj.

"India has given the world neither community nor communalism. Our saints and sages (Rishis and Munis) and traditions have given the world spiritualism and not communalism," he said, adding sometimes, sect leads to problems while spiritualism resolves the same.
Citing the literary work of the jain saint, the Prime Minister said, "Rashtra dharma (duty to nation) is above all religions and Guruji has lit the candle of rashtra dharma through his writings, as it has been the glorious tradition of our country."
The Prime Minister's comments assume significance as these come against the backdrop of debate on 'intolerance' and allegations of growing communalism in the country.

"Saints, hermits and religious leaders have blessed the world with spirituality, a legacy in which our former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam believed and said that the problems of human beings can be neutralised by the spiritualisation of mankind," he said.
Modi described the monk as a "great social reformer and spiritual leader" who has expressed his views about all concepts and objects of the universe through his various books.
The book, 'My India, Nobel India', in four languages - English, Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi - was released at the Somaiya Grounds in Sion-Chunabhatti area here during the 'Sahitya Satkar Samaroh' programme on the concluding day of the 10-day-long religious and spiritual conclave.