Social harmony an approach

Promotion of social and communal harmony is one of the most important tasks in the nation-building process. Social harmony or a diverse country like India, requires a multi-pronged strategy at the level of the state, society and individual. There is a need to make concerted efforts at all levels for creating an environment of social harmony so that all peoples, irrespective of caste, creed,
communities, etc., may live and co-exist happily like a joint family, sharing joys and sorrows together. This publication, which is primarily based on primary information sources, is an effort to identify and find out strategies and policy options, available at
different levels, to promote social harmony. It is based on expert comments made by academieians, educationists, vice-chancellors of different universities, social scientists, social activists, national commissions and officials of the central and state governments. The important primary sources that largely contributed to the publication of this monograph include twenty-five commissions of inquiry reports on communal disturbances in different parts of India, constitutional and statutory provisions, minutes of various meetings of the National Integration Council, recommendations of the National Police Commission, etc.
Besides, it also incorporates various guidelines, manuals and schemes of the central and state governments for the promotion of communal harmony. The overall objective of the monograph is to initiate a debate, in order to find out effective and
imaginative ways in managing violent societal conflicts; and exploring the possibilities that can promote dialogue, mutual understanding, co-operation and social harmony in the long run. It is intended to facilitate a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in the interface between state and religion, violence and peace; and to identify various conflict resolution mechanisms for a just social order.