New Delhi

Senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar today called upon all citizens to show due respect to all religions in the interest of development and harmony.

Speaking at the ‘Vibrant North East’ programme in Maharashtra Sadan here, Kumar who is also the chief patron of the Bharatiya Christian Manch. said that all religions should follow their respective religions and respect each other. "If we interfere in others religion or try to convert religion, then there will be trouble and opposition, which will become a hindrance in the way of development and harmony. There will be conditions of unrest and tension''

Kumar, Central Executive Member of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh and patron of Muslim Rashtriya Manch, said that the citzens must remember that  that whatever may be their religion, all of them are Indians living in India.

BJP national spokesperson, Tom Vadakkan, Rajya Sabha MP- S Phangnok Konyan, Pratap Palla from Bharatiya Christian Manch and national media in-charge of Muslim Rashtriya Manch- Shahid Sayeed were also present in the programme.

Addressing the gathering, the RSS leader said that this event is a commendable step to introduce the people of Delhi to the cultural heritage of the north-east. The people of northeast are always ahead in contributing to the progress of the country.

Indresh Kumar said that more attention has been paid to the development of the north-east after the Modi government came to the centre. Many new projects have started in all the states. As a result, employment opportunities have also increased. Along with this, peace, harmony and prosperity are also increasing in the north-eastern states.

Kumar said that there was a time when incidents of violence were very common in the north-eastern states in which man innocent people died. But ever since a strong government of strong will has come at the centre, there has been a complete reduction in all kinds of violent incidents. Today, the northeastern states are the holistic path of development.

Criticizing the Rajiv Gandhi government, Indresh Kumar said that at one time the central government used to send 100 rupees, then 15 rupees were used for development and the remaining 85 rupees were used for bribery and scams. In contrast, during the tenure of Narendra Modi, 100 percent of the money is being spent on development.

Rajya Sabha MP Bhubaneshwar Kalita said that the government is paying full attention to the development of the north-east. He said that the Prime Minister  also reviews the development of north-east. The programme was organized under the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence in collaboration with social worker Pratap Palla and Adilila Foundation.

The programme concluded with cultural programme where artists presented songs and folk dances of the state.