Khudai Khidmatgar launches Yuva Nafrat Chhodo campaign against hate crimes

By A Representative
On the 77th anniversary of launch of Quit India movement, August 9, Khudai Khidmatgar launched its nationwide Yuva Nafrat Chhodo campaign from the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead. Recently revived, Khudai Khidmatgar was originally founded by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as Frontier Gandhi, during the freedom movement.

Faisal Khan, its leader, said, the campaign has been launched to protect youth from proceeding towards hate crimes and to make them understand the essence of the very brotherhood and secular fabric of this country. Dr Sandeep Pandey, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, launched the campaign by taking and encouraging young people to take oath on non-violence.
The programme started with an all-religious prayers which Gandhiji used to recite, along with a talk on ideals of satyagraha and non-violence, with bhajans like "Vaishnav Jan" and "Raghupati Raghav" in between. Those who took oath included youth associated with the Sanatan Dharm Sanstha, and students from government schools, Jamia Millia Islamia and Delhi University.
Faisal khan said, "We will counter hate that is being filled up in youth minds with love." The campaign will take place in 14 major cities, including Bareilly, Agra and Lucknow, for 12 continuous days and will end on August 22 in Bikaner Rajasthan on the International Day to commemorate victims of religious or denomination-motivated violence.