Srinagar, Apr 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday said that a few conflict profiteers, at the behest of the neighbouring country, were attempting to radicalise the youth for their own gain and promised not to allow them to raise their heads again.
Addressing a Sufi conference ‘Noor-e-Sama’ in Srinagar, the LG urged the people, especially the young generation to identify and isolate the divisive elements and ensure that such conflict profiteers had no place in the society.
He said that spilling the blood of innocents had become the biggest business for the “masters of terror” and “conflict entrepreneurs” in J&K.
LG Sinha said that in the last five years, Police, paramilitary forces, and the administration, with the support of the people, had succeeded to a large extent in taking J&K out of that phase, but there was still a long way to go.
“I want to say this with responsibility that murdering innocents had become the biggest business for the masters of terror and conflict entrepreneurs. Conflict entrepreneurs had created a huge ecosystem around terror,” he said.
“There are still some conflict entrepreneurs who are trying to be active, but I assure you that no such person will be allowed to re-emerge. I am happy that the youth of J&K have started to understand their sinister plans,” the LG said.
He appealed to Sufi scholars attending the event to make sure that such “conflict entrepreneurs” had no space in society.
“I also request the Sufi scholars that there is a need to make a long-term plan to make Sufism popular among the youth so that extremist ideology will not get a chance to flourish among the people,” LG Sinha said.
He said if there was a need to make ideals of Sufism modern to achieve that, “then it is essential to work on that”.
“We have to take the message of Sufism to the youth through new mediums,” the LG said.
He extended his felicitations to the Sufi Scholars, members of Sufi Score Limited, Save Youth Save Future Foundation and everyone associated with the initiative.
“Sufism is the most powerful force for peace and harmony in society. Sufism means a way of life. It is a bond of love with the whole and a loving relationship with God. Sufism is the ultimate art of removing divisions and bringing hearts closer,” LG Sinha said.
He highlighted that the ultimate aim of Sufism was to foster the awakening in society and promote compassion and interconnectedness.
“Sufism emphasises inner purification, love, and deep relationship with the divine. The journey on this path has the potential to unite people across backgrounds,” the LG said.
He spoke on the influence of Sufism in bridging social divides and promoting peace and harmony within the communities.
“For many centuries Sufism has acted as a bulwark against extremist ideology and Sufism’s narrative has been popular in countering extremist propaganda. Sufi teachings completely reject any kind of violence and discrimination. The Sufi teaching is a counterforce to extremist ideology and its mystical traditions through poetry, music and other creative expressions will strengthen counter-radicalisation efforts,” LG Sinha said.
He also recalled the invaluable contribution of saints from J&K in strengthening the bond of love, brotherhood, unity, and harmony.
The LG also emphasised a multi-pronged strategy to promote Sufi literature and Sufi education and make Sufism popular among the youth to counter radical ideology.
“Sufi teachings, music, and poetry should be conveyed to the youth through videos, podcasts, and social media campaigns,” he said.
LG Sinha called for connecting the youth influencers with the campaign to propagate Sufism and establishing a mentorship programme where Sufi scholars guide young people.
Captivating performances by the Sufi artists celebrating J&K’s rich Sufi culture and traditions remained highlights of the event.
Judge Supreme Court of India, Justice N Kotiswar Singh; Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli; Rajiv Agarwal from Sufi Score Limited; Chairman Save Youth Save Future Foundation, Wajahat Farooq Bhat, and members of Sufi Score and Save Youth Save Future Foundation were also present on the occasion.
