Pope Francis cites Sree Narayana Guru's teachings to combat global intolerance
Thiruvananthapuram: Pope Francis emphasised the importance of Sree Narayana Guru's teachings in addressing the growing issues of hate and intolerance worldwide. Speaking at the Vatican on Saturday, the Pope addressed faith leaders during an event commemorating the centenary of the all-religion conference organised by Sree Narayana Guru in Aluva, Kerala.
The Pope described the Guru's message of universal human unity as crucial in today's world, where instances of intolerance and hatred among peoples and nations are on the rise.
"Sree Narayana Guru dedicated his life to promoting social and religious awakening. He emphasised that all human beings, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or cultural traditions, belong to a single human family," the Pope stated.
He further highlighted the Guru's stand against discrimination, saying, "He insisted there should be no discrimination against anyone at any level."
The Pope expressed concern over the ongoing challenges of exclusion, violence, and discrimination based on race, religion, language, and social origins, which disproportionately affect marginalised and voiceless communities.
Referencing the 2019 Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, co-signed with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Pope Francis reiterated the shared belief that all human beings are equal in rights, duties, and dignity.
He called for strengthening unity in diversity and fostering harmonious coexistence amid differences. "As followers of our respective religious traditions, we must work together to promote respect, dignity, compassion, reconciliation, and solidarity," the Pope remarked, citing a joint declaration issued in September at Istiqlal.
The event, supported by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, saw participation from prominent religious leaders from Kerala.
Sree Narayana Guru (1856–1928) was a spiritual leader and social reformer from Kerala. Born into a marginalised Hindu community, he dedicated his life to breaking caste barriers and advocating for equality, non-violence, and religious harmony. His teachings continue to inspire efforts towards social justice and unity.
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Separate nodal officer in all districts to prevent female foeticides in Karnataka: Minister
Belagavi (PTI): Accepting that the female foeticide has not stopped in the state, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday said that the government is taking strict measures to prevent it.
The minister said the government is appointing separate nodal officers in all districts and tightening measures to prevent foeticide, which he called a "social evil".
He also assured that the government will consider strengthening legislation to control such activities.
The minister was responding to a question by BJP MLC C T Ravi in the Legislative Council.
"Female foeticides have certainly not stopped. If you look at the sex ratio, there is a lot of difference. I accept that this is happening," Rao said.
"Foeticides are not happening under pressure; voluntarily, it is happening, for not wanting a girl child. These things are happening based on the sex determination of the foetus at some hospitals. Sex determination is illegal, but with the advancement in technology, portable ultrasound machines have been developed, which can be easily carried anywhere, and scans and tests can be done. This needs to be controlled. We will bring it to the notice of the central government," he said.
In some districts and in a few hospitals, a higher number of male child births is happening. It is found with the help of intelligence input, the minister said.
"Information is being gathered on the taluk in which the male-female ratio is worsening, what is happening in which hospital, and appropriate action is being taken to crack down on such a network, after proper evaluation."
Decoy operations have been done at seven places in the last two years, to identify those involved in illegal activities linked to female foeticides, and actions have been taken against officials and hospitals involved, he said, adding that more needs to be done on priority.
Responding to a question by Ravi about whether any stringent legislation is being brought, Rao said, the government will consider strengthening the legislation and making it stricter to control this.
"Some amendments have been made to the existing laws in the last two years....advanced technology and the internet is being used to carry out such things, also oral medicines for abortions are available over the counter.
We need to look into bringing legislation to control them. The Food and Drug Administration has issued instructions to pharmacists that the sale of such drugs should be documented."
The minister also said that measures are also being taken for the effective implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act, and awareness is being created against the identification of female foetuses and female foeticide.
