In a strong and symbolic message of national solidarity, an Interfaith Harmony Meeting was held today at the Raj Bhavan in Shimla, presided over by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla. The gathering was attended by representatives of various religious communities, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, senior state officials, and law enforcement leadership. In the backdrop of rising tensions with Pakistan, the meeting served as both a call for unity and a clear condemnation of recent cross-border aggression by the neighbouring country.
Governor Shukla, in his address, launched a scathing criticism of Pakistan’s continued patronage of terrorism, highlighting the disturbing practice of the Pakistani military participating in funerals of terrorists and the open support given to extremist ideologies by its political leaders. He described the 22 April terror attack that killed Indian civilians as a shameful and deliberate act that forced India into a decisive military response to dismantle terror camps operating across the border.
He further condemned Pakistan’s retaliation, which involved unprovoked targeting of Indian civilians, including religious sites such as temples and gurudwaras, an action that he said revealed the true face and ideology of state-sponsored terrorism. Stressing the gravity of the situation, the Governor asserted that Pakistan’s actions not only violated international norms but also disrespected the sacred spaces of faith that are symbols of peace and communal harmony.
Against this backdrop, the Interfaith Harmony Meeting was underscored as a powerful gesture of resilience and unity. Governor Shukla emphasized the importance of upholding the values of coexistence and mutual respect in a time when external forces were attempting to fracture the social fabric of India. He called upon religious leaders to rise above all differences and reject divisive propaganda propagated by adversarial forces, especially through misleading content on social media platforms.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu echoed the Governor’s sentiments, stating that India’s strength lies in its cultural and religious diversity. He remarked that historically, Indians have always come together and sacrificed for the nation whenever its sovereignty or values have been threatened. The Chief Minister assured citizens that the government and the armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any aggression, and that the country stands united, regardless of political divides.
Reinforcing the nation’s ethical high ground, the Chief Minister noted that India’s military response has consciously avoided civilian targets in Pakistan, demonstrating a commitment to humanitarian values even in the face of provocation. He urged citizens to remain alert, avoid misinformation, and adhere to official advisories issued by the central and state governments, particularly the standard operating procedures in place for public safety.
Religious leaders from multiple faiths shared messages of peace and collective resolve, reaffirming their commitment to India’s inclusive spirit and condemning acts of violence against innocent lives and sacred institutions. The participation of such a broad spectrum of spiritual representatives added a layer of moral authority to the unified stance against terrorism and divisive agendas.
Also present at the meeting were key dignitaries, including MLA Vivek Sharma, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Onkar Sharma, DGP Dr. Atul Verma, Secretary to the Governor C.P. Verma, Additional DGP Ajay Yadav, and senior officers from ARTRAC and various state departments.
The event concluded with a renewed pledge by all attendees to uphold peace, resist misinformation, and stand firmly in support of the nation’s integrity, reinforcing the message that India’s unity remains unshaken in the face of any external threat.
#IndiaUnited #InterfaithHarmony #SayNoToTerrorism #PakistanCeasefireViolation #IndianArmyStrong
This is an auto web generated news web story.