BJP president N. Ramchander Rao at an ‘iftar’ party organized by the minority wing on Sunday. | Photo credit: ARRANGEMENT
India’s real strength lies in “unity, brotherhood and mutual respect”, where people celebrate festivals freely according to their faith and traditions, Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao said on Sunday.
Addressing an Iftar hosted by the BJP’s minority wing, Mr Rao said India’s pluralistic ethos was unique in the world. “Christians, Sikhs, Muslims, Parsis and Hindus live together here in the spirit of brotherhood. The Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb tradition thrives in this country and such harmony is rarely seen elsewhere,” he said.
Emphasizing religious freedom, he said, “Those who believe in Allah should be free to offer prayers in their own way, just as devotees of Lord Ram should be free to offer flowers at his feet. Followers of Jainism and other faiths have their own traditions. No one should object to anyone’s faith.”
India’s strength, Mr. Rao said, is that people of all religions have chosen to live together in peace. He recalled the Prime Minister’s slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas (Together with All, Development for All, Trust of All and Efforts of All)” saying it reflected the spirit of collective progress and inclusive governance. Regardless of religion or region, he said, “first and foremost we are all Indians”, united by a common determination to move the nation forward together.
Earlier, while welcoming former BRS leaders to the BJP, Mr. Rao said the party’s “uncompromising fight” against the “anti-people policies” of the Congress government in Telangana was attracting leaders and citizens alike. He alleged that the proposed “unscientific” split of GHMC was driven by political motives.
Published – 15 March 2026 20:20 IST
