Religious leaders to form 'Dharam Sansad'

Kolkata, Jan 2 (IANS) To spread communal harmony and tackle religious issues in a non-political way a new body, "Dharam Sansad", comprising representatives from all religions would be formed, it was announced during a religious seminar here Friday.

According to Shamim Ahmed, the national president (India) and international convener of Human Rights Protection Association, the proposed organisation called "Dharam Sansad" (parliament of religion) will be constituted at the national level in New Delhi and have its state branches too.

"It is time to put a stop to religious controversies. Politicians should work for development only and leave religious matters alone," Ahmed said here at the Sab Dharam Sammelan (all religions seminar) at The Muslim Institute.

"This body will have representatives from all religions and will work to solve problems, including controversies."

As many as 200 ascetics, 200 Islamic scholars, 100 Christian priests and nuns, 100 Buddhists and 100 Jains participated in the seminar held to support the idea of a separate religious body.

The event comes at a time when the alleged forcible conversions of about 300 Muslims in Agra spurred a religious debate and rocked both Houses of Parliament recently.

Ahmed said there would be another series of seminars later in January and details regarding the new organisation will be worked out after that.

"The state level arms will have members from all the districts and will be controlled by the national body from Delhi," he added.