Tamil Nadu   

“Best way to defeat terrorism is through non-violence”

— Photo: R.Ragu

FLORAL TRIBUTES: (From left) David T. Hopper, Consul-General of U.S in South India, Roland Herrmann, Consul-General of Germany in South India, and M. Krishnasswamy, president, TNCC, paying homage to the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi in Chennai on Tuesday.

CHENNAI: The best way to defeat terrorism is through non-violence, said US Consul-General David T. Hopper here on Tuesday.

Participating in Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations organised by the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, Mr. Hopper said Gandhi’s principle of non-violence was relevant even today when the threat of terrorism was looming large everywhere.

It was appropriate that the United Nations had decided to observe Gandhi’s birthday as the International Day of Non-violence. His message of non-violence had inspired many international leaders, including Martin Luther King of United States and Nelson Mandela of South Africa.

Germany Consul-General Roland Herrmann said Gandhi’s ideals promoted universal brotherhood.

It was on the principle of non-violence, Germans succeeded in its unification.

Earlier presiding over the function, TNCC president M. Krishnasswamy said Congress always respected religious feelings of people and it was only against religious fanaticism.

The party believed in the existence of Rama but was against exploiting religions for political purpose.

He appealed to partymen to take a vow on the day to work together to achieve their cherished dream of “Kamaraj rule” in the State.

Union Minister of State for Textiles E.V.K.S. Elangovan said the participation of Consul-Generals of US and German showed the greatness of Gandhi.

Criticising Left parties for their stand on the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Minister said the party could not be cowed down by their threats and it was ready to face the general elections.

D. Sudarsanam and D. Yesoda, leader and deputy leader of the Congress Legislature Party respectively, said the party always believed in secularism and was against hurting the religious feelings of the people.

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