India has glorious heritage of tolerance, engagement with all views: VP

India has had a glorious heritage of not only "tolerance" for others' views, but also engaging with them, making it a culture that embodies pluralism and syncretism, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Friday. Addressing a gathering after releasing the Arabic Version of 'Majma-ul-Bahrain' of Dara Shikoh, Dhankhar said the book - the title of which means 'confluence of two oceans' -- throws light on the similarities between religions and helps bring stronger unity among the people of India.

"It remains ever relevant to not only India but to the entire humanity," he added.

He said India's culture of tolerance has been exemplified by Indian kings, from the time of the great Ashok to the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh.


The Vice President also released a song 'Atulya Bharat Desh Mera' commemorating 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' at the event.

Calling Dara Shikoh a genius, a skilled poet, and a Sanskrit scholar, Dhankhar said that he was a torchbearer of social harmony and religious unity.

In this book, Dara Shikoh listed one by one, all common things between Hinduism (Vedanta) and Islam (Sufism) and came to the conclusion that the difference between the two religions was only verbal.

Dhankhar said Dara Shikoh strove for improving dialogue between different religions, and called for reviving his legacy and applying his spiritual thought for social cohesion in the present times.

He said India has always believed in the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', which literally means world is one family.

"We can reflect on the treasure of knowledge from this ancient land and herald a time of global peace for humanity," he said.