Mansooruddin Faridi/New Delhi

A scene of Inclusive Indian culture was on display at Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi where lamps were lit to celebrate the festival of lights - called charagan (illumination) - at the shrine of the Sufi saint on the occasion of Dhan Teras on Saturday evening.

The tradition started last year and as usual, the formal function was attended by people from all walks of life and visitors kept thronging the shrine till late at night.

Among those who attended the function was senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar, who also heads the Rashtriya Muslim Manch. He said he hopes that this festival will continue to be held for years and years. “I hope one day one lakh lamps will be lit at the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin,” he said.

The celebration was inaugurated by Indresh Kumar by liting the ceremonial lamp and offered a chador at the mausoleum of Nizamuddin Auliya.

Indresh Kumar offering chador at the grave of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya

He hoped that enthusiasm for this inclusive celebration that began with the lighting of 700 lamps will increase to the level that the next year 1100 diyas will be lit. In the due course of time, this number could increase to 100,000 as the lighting of lamps symoblise the unity of India.

All prayed that the festival of lights will work to remove the darkness – hate, bigotry, and conflict - and spread light – symbiolising civilization and prosperity - around. 

He further said that Diwali is not a festival of a specific religion or sect, but it is a festival of every Indian whose aim is to spread humanity, light, prosperity, and love. May the festival bring joy and happiness in every home.

Speaking with media persons, Indresh Kumar said that the nefarious forces are trying to create a divide and spread communal differences. He said the people of India will defeat their designs.

“We have to be careful and watchful - we have to understand that Ishwar has sent us into the world to be one - the message is clear that our slogans that we are one must reson-

celebrations at Dargah Nizamuddin

Indresh Kumar hoped that those countrymen who have gone astray will come back. He said our efforts should be that no one follows this wrong path in the future. “The truth is that we were Indians; we are Indians and will remain Indians till posterity.

Muslim Rashtriya Manch chief said his organization is celebrating national festivals with a focus on the inclusion of women in the group and all activities.

He said all religion honour women. Like in Islam, the heaven for a man is under the feet of his mother while in Hinduism, female divinity is part of Godliness.

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Laying importance on the unity of religions, Indresh Kumar said our effort will be that we embrace each other on Eid and light diyas together on Diwali so that the country will be bathed in their light and love.