LONDON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged humanitarian forces to rally around in condemning the latest terrorist attacks in Paris which claimed more than 120 lives.
In an address after unveiling the statue of 12th century Indian philosopher Basaveshwara, one of the pioneers of the idea of democracy, on the banks of Thames river in the London borough of Lambeth, Mr Modi said on the 70th foundation day of United Nations, the world body should now define terrorism ”as soon as possible so that all can know who is with or against terrorism.”
”What happened in Paris yesterday was not an attack on one city, one people or France– but an attack on all humanity and humanitarian thought,” he stated.
He said humanitarian forces would have to effectively unite in condemning the attack and fulfilling their responsibility by unitedly fighting such forces.
Mr Modi was speaking on the third and final day of his visit to Britain. Basaveshwara was an Indian philosopher, social reformer and statesman who attempted to create a casteless society and fought against religious discrimination.
Asserting that the ideals and values of Basaveshwara (1134-1168), would attract people, Mr Modi said he had worked for empowerment of women as far back as the 12th century. The Prime Minister , who received a copy of the Magna Carta, said that all the rights and principles mentioned the great document assures were to be found in Basaveshwara’s works.
Basaveshwara, Mr Modi said, worked for gender equality and democratic principles. ”When we talk of citizen’s right to equality we remember Abraham Lincoln but Basaveshwara propounded the same principles 700 years ago,” he pointed out.
His motto was ‘work is worship’, the PM added, noting that the installation of the statue was a matter of pride for India but it would also be a source of democratic inspiration for people in Britain and others also.
The Indian reformer had fought against untouchability, the PM said, adding that India was a country that had given reformers in all ages.
Former Mayor of London Borough of Lambeth, Dr Neeraj Patil, the force behind the statue, was among those present.
On the conclusion of the first leg of his visit here, Mr Modi will be leaving shortly for Turkey. (UNI)
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