BILASPUR, Jan 15: On Wednesday, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar voiced his apprehensions regarding religious conversions motivated by allurements, labeling these actions as contrary to the essence and spirit of the Constitution. He emphasized the importance of opposing and neutralizing such “nefarious” efforts.
Speaking as the chief guest at the 11th convocation ceremony of Guru Ghasidas University in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, he identified Naxalism as the most significant barrier to development, especially for tribal communities. He noted that considerable efforts are underway to eradicate this issue.
“Guru Ghasidas represented unity, inclusivity, and equality for all. It is thanks to Gurus like him that the socio-cultural fabric of this region remains intact. Our Bharat, home to one-sixth of the world’s population, is fortunate to have luminaries like him,” the Vice President remarked.
The country boasts prominent figures such as Maharishi Valmiki, Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sant Ravidas, and Jyotiba Phule—each regarded as foundational pillars of societal structure. Dhankhar expressed satisfaction that their legacy is increasingly being acknowledged and revitalized in the national consciousness.
“It is troubling that the ideals of inclusivity for which these figures fought are now being challenged by those who aim to disrupt societal cohesion through tempting offers for conversions. This poses a direct contradiction to our civilizational values,” he stated.
Dhankhar condemned such conversions as antithetical to the rights enshrined in the Constitution and warned against the dangers of upsetting the demographic balance. He urged society to reject these dubious actions, as they threaten the inclusiveness and rich heritage of the nation.
The Vice President commended the Chhattisgarh government, led by Vishnu Deo Sai, for its ongoing battle against Naxalism, citing it as a major impediment to development, particularly impacting tribal populations.
“I’m pleased to see the serious efforts made in recent years to combat this menace. In Chhattisgarh, significant progress has been recorded, with numerous Naxalites neutralized, arrested, or having surrendered,” he pointed out.
However, he stressed that citizens must remain vigilant, as Naxalism has no place in a nation experiencing unprecedented, people-centered development.
He acknowledged the government’s effective policies, noting that Chhattisgarh has executed them effectively. “The three Cs—road connectivity, mobile connectivity, and financial connectivity—are yielding positive results, transforming lives and opening new avenues for progress,” he added.
Dhankhar cautioned that whenever development occurs, there are malicious forces that aim to undermine these positive efforts.
He highlighted that India’s growth has become the envy of the world. “While the global community dealt with economic depression and stagnation, India has consistently stood out as a beacon of economic advancement. Over the past decade, we have often been recognized as the fastest-growing major economy, and we are now the fifth-largest economy worldwide, on the path to becoming the third,” he remarked.
Startups are emerging not just from metropolitan areas but also from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, he noted. “We now rank third globally in the startup ecosystem,” he stated.
He further pointed out that India’s infrastructure is rapidly expanding, mentioning, “We are achieving remarkable milestones, with four new airports and a new Metro system introduced each year.”
Dhankhar also informed the students that India’s Metropolitan Rail network spans 1000 kilometers across 11 states and 23 cities. “We have surpassed Japan, and soon, India will rank second in Metro coverage,” he stated.
A new Bharat is currently taking shape, he proclaimed, encouraging students to look beyond traditional government roles and explore the vast opportunities available.
Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka and CM Sai were also present at the event. (PTI)
