In his address at a joint event by Journalists and Writers Foundation’s Intercultural Dialogue Platform (KADIP) and Marmara University Theology School, Kulkarni touched on the parallels between perspectives of India’s national hero, Mahatma Gandhi, and Fethullah Gulen with respect to dialogue and tolerance -which can foster, he concluded, a significant moderation among members of diverse faiths.
In the event promoting his latest book “Music of the Spinning Wheel”, hosted by Marmara University Theology Department, Kulkarni entirely rejected the notion that Gandhi was anti-technology. Throughout the presentation, he discussed his book and laid bare the little known aspects of Gandhi.
Speaking of the significance of interfaith dialogue, Kulkarni additionally highlighted Gandhi formed an effective dialogue particularly with Muslims and always stood by them through hard times, which, Kulkarni recalled, even led to his assassination by a Hindu fanatic indeed.
Kulkarni drew the attentions to the synonymy between the quotes “Be the change you wish to see in the world” by Gandhi and “Those who want to reform the world must first reform themselves. If they want to lead others to a better world, they must purify their inner worlds of hatred, rancor, and jealousy, and adorn their outer worlds with virtue” by Gulen.
Kulkarni went on to say the two parallel perspectives have been blowing breezes of peace around the globe and moderated the relations between people of diverse faiths.
Moderated by Marmara University Theology School professor, Assoc. Prof. Ismail Taspinar, the event came to a close following the Q-and-A session.
Who is Sudheendra Kulkarni?
Sudheendra Kulkarni is the president of Mumbai’s Observer Research Foundation. Named among India’s most eminent socio-political activists, Kulkarni columns for several dailies and frequently appears on TV shows. Once a member of India’s BJP party, he quit his position after 16 years due to his contrasting worldviews.
Currently, Kulkarni is conducting initiatives on interfaith dialogue and involved in intercultural dialogue activities in India and abroad alike.
Published [in Turkish] on KADIP, 18 November 2013, Monday
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