Sri Narayana Guru’s all-religious conference was a revolutionary intervention that reimagined religions experientially, going beyond mere religious tolerance, said noted social critic, Sunil P. Elayidam. He was delivering the Vakkom Moulavi Memorial Lecture organized by the Vakkom Moulavi Memorial and Research Center on the theme “All-Religious Conference and Unity of Religious Feeling.”
Sunil stated that the principle of Palamatasaravumekam (The essence of many religions is the same) played a decisive role in shaping modern Kerala, much like the establishment of the Aruvippuram Pratishtha. Rather than viewing religions as institutions or rituals, Narayana Guru perceived them as ethos, fostering interactions that paved the way for the complementarity of different religions.
The dominant characteristic of religious discourse at the time was self-assertion and the refutation of other faiths. Narayana Guru’s intervention marked a radical departure from this, offering a corrective path. His vision transcended religious brotherhood and moved toward the idea of a unified religion. Sunil pointed out that this concept became the core of Gurudarshan.
The Vakkom Moulavi Award 2024 was presented to senior media personality Shri T.J.S. George at a function held at the TNG Fourth Estate Hall, Thiruvananthapuram Press Club. Samakalika Malayalam Weekly Editor Saji James accepted the award on behalf of T.J.S. George from Elayidam.
Writer and senior journalist Shri G. Priyadarshanan chaired the session. K.M. Seethi delivered the welcome address, and Nahas Abdul Haq gave the vote of thanks.
