Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (MB) - Pics Praveen Tauro Kulshekar and Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Mar 12: A good number of people who had gathered in the St Agnes College auditorium in the city were to some extent disappointed since the star speaker, Swami Agnivesh, president, World Council of Arya Samaj, could not make it to Mangalore on account of unforeseen preoccupations.

The seminar with the theme 'Religions for Social Justice', nevertheless, went ahead as scheduled with other speakers expressing their thoughts and views. It was jointly organized by Mangalore University's Mangalore Diocesan Chair in Christianity, Dharma Samanvaya and Mandd Sobhann.

A minute's prayer of silence was observed as a mark of respect towards the victims of the blasts that took place at Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi. Professor and head of the Chair in Christianity Dr John Fernandes gave the introductory remarks and welcomed the gathering.

"Social justice is the crying need of the globe. In recent times, in spite of scientific, technological and IT revolutions, inequality between different groups of people has been on the increase. Globalization has caused further inequality, injustice and destruction of nature," he said.

Injustice leads to conflict and violence. The 'global village' is threatened by growing violence. What is the way out of this impasse? Do religions or other world views have an answer? How can religions promote a just social order?

It was to seek answers to these questions that the seminar aimed at. Hence speakers drawn from Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jain religions endeavoured to put forth their viewpoints.

Dr S D Shetty, retired professor of SDM College spoke on the contribution of Jain tradition fo social justice, while Janab Rafiuddin Kudroli, president, Dharma Prakashana, Mangalore spoke on Islama and social justice.

Dr Joseph Lobo SJ, director, Jnana Jyoti, Anekal touched upon Christianity and social justice.

Swami Agnivesh was to speak on the subject 'Religions for social justice - a synthesis'. Apologizing for his inability to attend the seminar on account of some unforeseen engagements in Varanasi, he sent an e-mail message to the organizers.

The discussion that followed was moderated by Sr (Dr) Lydia Fernandes.

Former St Aloysius Evening college principal Lena Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks. Sr Lily Pinto was the coordinator of the event. 

• CLICK HERE to read message from Swami Agnivesh to the seminar