Strongly condemning religious conversion, Vice President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday said real secularism means treating every religion equally. Speaking at a programme in Dharmasthala to inaugurate the SIRI Mathrushree Industrial Park, Mr. Radhakrishnan said everyone has the right to remain in the religion they profess and to worship God in their own way.

Every religion, he said, helps humanity reach the feet of God through the practice of bhakti. “If harmony is to prevail among all religions, there should be a full stop to religious conversions,” he said, adding, “Religious conversion creates confrontation between faiths and does not promote harmony.”

Secularism, he added, means ensuring equal treatment for all religions and showing respect for all religious leaders. “We should not engage in appeasement for any particular religion, whether it be Hinduism or others. I believe in Lord Manjunathaswamy, and if someone believes in Christ, they should be free to pray in their own manner. That is true secularism.”

Lauding the work carried out at Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, the Vice President said it has always risen above religious boundaries and social divisions. For over eight centuries, the place has remained a symbol of harmony and coexistence and has been serving the poor. “At a time when the world is talking about co-existence, Dharmasthala has been practising it for many centuries,” he said. Under the leadership of Veerendra Heggade, the place has emerged as a great spiritual centre.

The SIRI Gramodyoga Samste, he said, has been a platform for empowerment, transforming rural people into wealth creators and entrepreneurs. Stating that the two-decade-long growth journey of SIRI was truly inspiring, he said it showed that nation-building requires patience, perseverance and long-term vision. SIRI has nicely integrated traditional skills with modern management practices. The products of SIRI are of quality, he said, adding that he was proud of them.

The SIRI Mathrushree Industrial Park, spread over seven acres, is an example of a socially responsible rural development initiative, the Vice President said.

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and Pattadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmastala Veerendra Heggade also spoke. MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta and MLC Pratapsimha Nayak were present.

Earlier, the Vice President visited the Manjunatha temple and offered the darshan to the deity. He also exchanged greetings with devotees at the temple.