Diversity, co-existence core of India, says Carnatic vocalist T M Krishna

Mumbai: Carnatic vocalist and author T M Krishna has called upon Indians to shed the fear of the other. Delivering the keynote address at the ‘Conclave of Religions' in the city on Saturday, Krishna called diversity and co-existence the core of India. Touching upon several themes like Ashoka's dhamma, Rabindranath Tagore's depiction of Bharat Mata, Mahatma Gandhi's non-violence and ahimsa, Ambedkar's maitreya (social equality), and the word fraternity in the preamble of India's Constitution, Krishna spoke to the audience at a five-star hotel in Juhu. The event was held by the Inter-Religious Solidarity Council and Centre for Study of Society and Secularism with the support of around two dozen organisations.Referring to Tagore's painting of Bharat Mata (May 9 was also Tagore's birth anniversary), Krishna said Tagore did not see the country in narrow terms. "Tagore's Bharat Mata is not angry or exclusivist. She is encompassing and is in a state of peace," he said.Krishna said for a long time India has wrestled with the question of "who has the first right on this land". Referring to Ashoka's dhamma or principle of non-violence and compassion the emperor adopted after having created a huge bloodbath, the maestro said that Ashoka apologised and his edicts speak of the reflections of dhamma and harmony.