The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, organized a national seminar on "Religion and Human Rights" conducted in Hindi in collaboration with an NGO, Bhartiya Charitra Nirman Sansthan, on the 7th July, 2011 in New Delhi. Inaugurating the seminar, Mr. Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC said that the religion is the essence of human rights, which are the entitlement of all human beings irrespective of their caste, class, language, faith or gender. Religion and human rights are complementary; if religion is the theory of life; its application translates into human rights. When traditional value systems are changing fast and the discipline of religion and fear of God fading, the concept of human rights provides a new philosophy.
Dr. Rajiv Sharma, Secretary General, NHRC said that truth, non-violence and sacrifice, manifested in a commitment to human rights, form the roots of Indian culture which has enriched itself with different faiths. The NHRC had held seven thematic seminars in Hindi to generate awareness about human rights. This seminar was part of that continuing initiative.
The seminar was addressed by prominent scholars; Dr. Mohammad Hanif Khan Shastri spoke on "Srimadbhagvadgita, Quran Sharif and Human Rights", Dr. M.D. Thomas on "Christianity and Human Rights", Professor Rita Bagchi on "Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Human Rights", Dr. Y. P. Anand on "Social Justice, Religion and Human Rights" and Mr. Ramkrishna Goswami on "Srimadbhagvadgita and Human Rights".