Thiruvananthapuram, May 1 (PTI) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today stressed the need to strengthen the bonds of unity, amity and harmony in society and appealed to all religious sects to act with restraint and respect everyone.

The senior BJP leader said the country's long standing convention for openness to new ideas, tolerance towards other faiths and giving them respect was as old as Indian civilisation itself.

Singh was speaking at a civic reception accorded to Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostom, Valiya Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church RPT of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church on his 101st birthday celebrations here.

"Unity is our strength and we must work to strengthen the bonds of unity, amity and harmony in our society", Singh said.

He also appealed to all religious sects or societies to act with restraint and respect everyone.

The Minister said India stands united not because of one religion or some theological thought holding the political power or exercising control over the system, but because it provides space to peaceful co-existence of multiple thoughts of theologies.

Indian tradition takes pride in giving freedom to have, to retain and to adopt a religion or belief, he said.

"Religion is a personal choice and it should always remain free from any coercion or allurement", he said.

Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly believes in taking every section of society along and build a New India. The goal is 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas', which means 'Development with Unity', he said.

Pointing out that the dream of making India great can be realised only when people of the country are united, he said 'United we stand, Divided we fall'. ""

He also expressed concern at the increasing violence, division and hostility in the name of religion the world over.

Singh said the ancient Indian thought of respect and acceptance for all faiths was the only way to ensure peace and harmony in the age of growing religious clashes and conflicts.

"I have no hesitation in accepting the fact that almost every government in this country has been tolerant towards all religions and faiths', the Minister said, adding the spirit of tolerance has been also enshrined in the Constitution.

Describing Chrysostom as a 'great man who has lived his life by example', Singh said the metropolitan's life was an 'inspiration' not only to the people of Kerala or to the Christian community, but to the entire nation.

State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurian were among those attended the function.

Earlier, Singh also attended the Navaoli Jyothirdinam celebrations at SanthiGiri Ashram, founded by Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru, at nearby Pothencode.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh said spiritualism, yoga and Ayerveda are India's contributions to the world and it was receiving wide attention.

Singh lauded the role played by the Ashram in spreading the traditional Siddha branch of medicine.

With the objective of promoting traditional Indian medicines, Singh said the BJP led NDA government had established a separate ministry of 'Ayush'.

The Government was for integrating wellness with health care, he added.

Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala and BJP leader Kummanom Rajasekharan were among those attended the function.

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