"While I am a Hindu, Mir Mushtaq who is presiding over this meeting is a Muslim. Mr. Frank Anthony who has addressed you is a Christian. There are also Sikhs and Parsis here. The unique thing about our country is that we have Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis and people of all other religions. We have temples and mosques, gurdwaras and churches. But we do not bring all this into politics. This is the difference between India and Pakistan. Whereas Pakistan proclaims herself to be an Islamic State and uses religion as a political factor, we Indians have the freedom to follow whatever religion we may choose, and worship in any way we please. So far as politics is concerned, each of us is as much an Indian as the other."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
PrisonersActivists from IndiaHindus from IndiaIndian National Congress politiciansPrime Ministers of India
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Quoted in India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy, by Ramachandra Guha
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Lal_Bahadur_Shastri
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Lal Bahadur Shastri (2 October 1904 – 11 January 1966) was the second Prime Minister of the Republic of India.
26 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Lal Bahadur Shastri →
Related Quotes
"Lal Bahadur Shastri's slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, in 1965."
"There comes a time in the life of every nation when it stands at the cross-roads of history and must choose which way…"
"True democracy or the swaraj of the masses can never come through untruthful and violent means, for the simple reason…"
"Judiciary in India holds a place of pride in the country and outside. At present, there is a tendency in our country …"
"The economic issues are most vital for us and it is of the highest importance that we should fight our biggest enemie…"
"We want freedom for our country, but not at the expense or exploitation of others, not us to degrade other countries……"
"The preservation of freedom, is not the task of soldiers alone. The whole nation has to be strong. We all have to wor…"
"My patriotism is subservient to my religion. I cling to India like a child to its mother’s breast, because I feel tha…"
"That loyalty to the country comes ahead of all other loyalties. And this is an absolute loyalty, since one cannot wei…"
"The claims of the most backward sections like the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who have suffered neglect an…"