Don't fan the flames, If my house is gutted, who'll look after yours: Pavan Varma

Kolkata, Jan 12 (UNI) Former diplomat and author Pavan K. Varma has issued a stark warning with regard to the state of tolerance in India, stressing that while the nation's foundations have long celebrated diversity, they remain delicate.
In a compelling lecture monikered 'Are we a Tolerant Society? Heritage, History Reconciliation' at the 17th APeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, Varma reminded audiences that the country's centuries-old ethos of acceptance is easily threatened.
Drawing on texts like the Rigveda and the Upanishad and citing the Bhakti movement, Varma illustrated how Indian civilisation has historically embraced questioning, dialogue and respect for different views.

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Tags: #Don't fan the flames # If my house is gutted # who'll look after yours: Pavan Varma

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JAMMU, FEB 11 (UNI): BJP MLAs stage a protest during the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, in Jammu on Wednesday. UNI Photo 23U

JAMMU, FEB 11 (UNI): BJP MLAs stage a protest during the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, in Jammu on Wednesday. UNI Photo 22U

LUCKNOW, FEB 11 (UNI): Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna tables the state budget during the Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, in Lucknow on Wednesday. UNI Photo 9U

LUCKNOW, FEB 11 (UNI): Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna tables the state budget during the Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, in Lucknow on Wednesday. UNI Photo 8U

LUCKNOW, FEB 11 (UNI): Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna tables the state budget during the Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, in Lucknow on Wednesday. UNI Photo 7U

LUCKNOW, FEB 11 (UNI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna before the presentation of the state Budget 2026–27 during the Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, in Lucknow on Wednesday. UNI Photo 6U

LUCKNOW, FEB 11 (UNI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna before the presentation of the state Budget 2026–27 during the Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, in Lucknow on Wednesday. UNI Photo 5U

LUCKNOW, FEB 11 (UNI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna before the presentation of the state Budget 2026–27 during the Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, in Lucknow on Wednesday. UNI Photo 4U

LUCKNOW, FEB 11 (UNI): Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna offers prayers at his residence before table the budget during the Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, in Lucknow on Wednesday. UNI Photo 3U

LUCKNOW, FEB 11 (UNI): Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna offers prayers at his residence before table the budget during the Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, in Lucknow on Wednesday. UNI Photo 2U

JAMMU, FEB 11 (UNI): BJP MLAs stage a protest during the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, in Jammu on Wednesday. UNI Photo 29U

JAMMU, FEB 11 (UNI): BJP MLAs stage a protest during the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, in Jammu on Wednesday. UNI Photo 21U

JAMMU, FEB 11 (UNI): Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma speaks during the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, in Jammu on Wednesday. UNI Photo 20U

LUCKNOW, FEB 11 (UNI): Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna offers prayers at his residence before table the budget during the Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, in Lucknow on Wednesday. UNI Photo 1U

JAMMU, FEB 11 (UNI): Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma speaks during the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, in Jammu on Wednesday. UNI Photo 19U

JAMMU, FEB 11 (UNI): Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma speaks during the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, in Jammu on Wednesday. UNI Photo 18U

JAMMU, FEB 11 (UNI): BJP stages a walkout during the question hour of the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, in Jammu on Wednesday. UNI Photo 17U

JAMMU, FEB 11 (UNI): BJP stages a walkout during the question hour of the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, in Jammu on Wednesday. UNI Photo 16U

JAMMU, FEB 11 (UNI): BJP stages a walkout during the question hour of the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, in Jammu on Wednesday. UNI Photo 15U

JAMMU, FEB 11 (UNI): BJP stages a walkout during the question hour of the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, in Jammu on Wednesday. UNI Photo 14U