New Delhi, April 5, KNT: The Temple of Understanding India Foundation on Sunday called for an immediate global ceasefire and urged nations to return to dialogue, citing rising human losses and damage to cultural and environmental assets amid ongoing conflicts.
The appeal was made during an interfaith meeting convened in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Founder-Chairman Dr. Karan Singh. The Foundation urged all countries to suspend hostilities and pursue peaceful engagement, emphasizing the need for urgent international cooperation.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Foundation said the ongoing conflicts have led to widespread loss of human life affecting diverse religious communities, while also resulting in the destruction of historically and culturally significant sites, including UNESCO World Heritage locations.
The Foundation said the impact of the conflicts extends beyond immediate casualties, pointing to environmental degradation caused by warfare that poses long-term risks to both humanity and the planet.
Dr. A. K. Merchant, General Secretary of the Temple of Understanding India Foundation, said the current situation represents a grave moment for human civilization and requires collective global action to restore peace and stability.
Temple of Understanding India
The Temple of Understanding is an international interfaith organization founded in 1960 with the objective of promoting dialogue and cooperation among different religious traditions. It works to advance peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and understanding across diverse communities.
The organization has historically organized global interfaith conferences and summits, bringing together religious leaders, scholars, and policymakers to address issues such as intolerance, conflict, and social justice. It has also maintained engagement with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization.
Its India chapter functions as part of this broader interfaith initiative, organizing meetings, discussions, and outreach programs aimed at strengthening harmony among religious communities and encouraging dialogue as a means of conflict resolution.
The Foundation called on world leaders, institutions, and civil society to prioritize dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation to prevent further loss and work toward a sustainable and peaceful future.
The statement reflects growing concern among interfaith groups over the humanitarian and cultural consequences of ongoing global conflicts, as calls for de-escalation continue to emerge from various platforms. [KNT]
