Thousands converge in central Delhi with message of peace and brotherhood; traffic hit

Thousands of people from various corners of the country converged in central Delhi on Monday for an event organised by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind to spread the message of communal harmony and peace.

People from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, among others, attended the event at the Talkatora Stadium where leaders from all faiths called for unity among all religions and peace, said Mohammad Younus Ansari, 28, a resident of Delhi.

"We are one and there is no reason why we should hate each other. We have remained together for decades, overcoming every challenge thrown at us. There's a certain section of people who are trying to instigate one community against the other for their vested interests. We will not them succeed," he said.

Mohammad Iqbal, 58, said, "India belongs to all. We also fought for its independence...nurtured its soil with our sweat and blood. Some people for their narrow political gains are trying to make project the country as a Hindu Rashtra, and we are against it."