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Religion, faith are peaceful affairs, why oppose them: Rahul Karad, vice-president of MIT in Pune
During the press conference, Karad announced that the World Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy, to be organised by MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) and World Peace Centre, Alandi, MAEER's MIT Pune and MIT ADT University, will be held from October 2 to 5 at their Rajbaug campus at Loni Kalbhor.
Secularism also comes with peaceful tolerance towards all, said Rahul Karad, vice-president of the Maharashtra Academy of Engineering Education and Research’s (MAEER) MIT, after a press conference on Wednesday to announce the World Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy. The statement was made in light of the recent incident of student protests, at Fergusson College, against conducting satyanarayan puja on campus.
“Religion or faith is a peaceful affair and such extremism by certain groups is wrong. If religious practices have been in place for so many years, then why oppose it? Hinduism is a majority religion here, and so maybe there were more non-teaching staff coming up to organise the satyanarayan puja. I am sure no one would have opposed if Christmas or Eid was also celebrated. We would not oppose if it were our institute. Secularism also comes with peaceful tolerance towards all,” Karad added.
During the press conference, Karad announced that the World Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy, to be organised by MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) and World Peace Centre, Alandi, MAEER's MIT Pune and MIT ADT University, will be held from October 2 to 5 at their Rajbaug campus at Loni Kalbhor.
The four-day conclave which is to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is aimed at propagating the confluence of science, religion and philosophy and is expected to have almost 10,000 delegates this year.
“This conclave is to bridge the seeming gaps between the three pillars; science, religion and philosophy, to show how all of them together lead the path to a sustainable and peaceful future. In today’s world, a degree is not enough anymore, because education is not materialistic, it needs to be holistic with values of peace and humanitarianism inculcated in the pupils. The objective is to make this kind of education, a reality,” said Mangesh Karad, executive president of MIT Art, Design and Technology (ADT) University, Rajbaug.
Divided into nine plenary sessions, the conclave is going to have 30 international and 60 national speakers, sharing their insights and experiences in various fields of science, religion and philosophy. In the first session, which will have three international and seven national speakers, a discussion will be held on the theme of need to promote value-based universal education system based on the appropriate understanding of the role of science and spirituality, in order to minimise the chaos, confusion, terrorism and violence prevailing in the world.
During the conclave, the dome at Rajbaug campus will formally house a Saint Dynaneshwar World Peace Prayer Hall and World Peace Library. As many as 54 bronze statues of global saints, religious leaders, scientists, philosophers and educationists will be installed in this structure.
