Historian Prof. Ram Puniyani delivered a compelling lecture on the theme "Legacy of Communal Harmony and the Current Conditions of the Country" at a felicitation ceremony organized by various social organizations in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
The event, held at Vrindavan Hall on Saturday (December 28), saw a packed audience as Puniyani dismantled the narrative of communal division often perpetuated through distorted historical interpretations.
Puniyani emphasized that battles between kings, regardless of whether they were Hindu or Muslim, were not religious conflicts but rather struggles for power and territory.
"Today, communal animosity is being stirred by depicting the conflicts between kings as Hindu-Muslim battles. In reality, whether a king was Hindu or Muslim, both had soldiers from diverse religious backgrounds in their armies. These were struggles for power and land, not religious wars," Puniyani said.
He cited historical examples to illustrate his point, such as the Battle of Haldighati, where Akbar’s commander, Man Singh, fought Maharana Pratap, whose Muslim commander, Hakim Khan Suri, also led troops.
Similarly, the rivalry between Shivaji and Aurangzeb, often portrayed as a Hindu-Muslim conflict, overlooked the fact that Shivaji’s chief gunner was Ibrahim Khan, and Aurangzeb’s forces were commanded by Raja Jai Singh, a Hindu.
“History shows that armies of both Hindu and Muslim rulers had people from all communities. The narrative of communal conflict is a distortion, designed to serve political interests,” Puniyani remarked.
Prof. Ram Puniyani delivering his lecture at Vrindavan Hall on Saturday.
He urged the audience to resist divisive agendas and focus on addressing the real challenges facing society. Puniyani criticized efforts to rewrite history and spread misinformation, warning that such tactics were aimed at distracting people from more pressing issues.
“False histories are being created and propagated to confuse the public. The more society is consumed by temple-mosque disputes, the more real issues are sidelined,” he observed.
Puniyani also highlighted the dangers of communal forces, particularly those associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and called for greater public awareness to safeguard India’s unity.
"The fight for social harmony is more important than electoral battles. Without addressing societal issues, we cannot overcome these dangerous forces," he stressed.
Former minister Satya Narayan Sharma, as a special guest, echoed Puniyani’s concerns, emphasizing the need for vigilance against divisive forces. The program was presided over by Arunkant Shukla, State General Secretary of the All India Peace and Unity Organization.
The proceedings were conducted by Dr. Rakesh Gupta, National President of the Medical Association, and Dr. Ashok Shirode, while Tuhin Dev delivered the keynote address. Advocate Lakhan Singh welcomed the gathering.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, where Puniyani addressed concerns from the audience, ranging from historical distortions to the current government’s policies.
He emphasized the importance of a scientific approach, stating, “A society without a scientific outlook cannot be truly aware.”
As a token of appreciation for his tireless efforts toward communal harmony, Puniyani was honoured with a certificate recognizing his work. The program began with a folk song performance by IPTA artist Nisar Ali and his team, adding vibrancy to the event.
Various organizations, including APSO, IPTA, CITU, AITUC, KASAM, and associations representing different religious and professional groups, welcomed Puniyani with floral tributes.
The event, held at Vrindavan Hall on Saturday (December 28), saw a packed audience as Puniyani dismantled the narrative of communal division often perpetuated through distorted historical interpretations.
Puniyani emphasized that battles between kings, regardless of whether they were Hindu or Muslim, were not religious conflicts but rather struggles for power and territory.
"Today, communal animosity is being stirred by depicting the conflicts between kings as Hindu-Muslim battles. In reality, whether a king was Hindu or Muslim, both had soldiers from diverse religious backgrounds in their armies. These were struggles for power and land, not religious wars," Puniyani said.
He cited historical examples to illustrate his point, such as the Battle of Haldighati, where Akbar’s commander, Man Singh, fought Maharana Pratap, whose Muslim commander, Hakim Khan Suri, also led troops.
Similarly, the rivalry between Shivaji and Aurangzeb, often portrayed as a Hindu-Muslim conflict, overlooked the fact that Shivaji’s chief gunner was Ibrahim Khan, and Aurangzeb’s forces were commanded by Raja Jai Singh, a Hindu.
“History shows that armies of both Hindu and Muslim rulers had people from all communities. The narrative of communal conflict is a distortion, designed to serve political interests,” Puniyani remarked.

He urged the audience to resist divisive agendas and focus on addressing the real challenges facing society. Puniyani criticized efforts to rewrite history and spread misinformation, warning that such tactics were aimed at distracting people from more pressing issues.
“False histories are being created and propagated to confuse the public. The more society is consumed by temple-mosque disputes, the more real issues are sidelined,” he observed.
Puniyani also highlighted the dangers of communal forces, particularly those associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and called for greater public awareness to safeguard India’s unity.
"The fight for social harmony is more important than electoral battles. Without addressing societal issues, we cannot overcome these dangerous forces," he stressed.
Former minister Satya Narayan Sharma, as a special guest, echoed Puniyani’s concerns, emphasizing the need for vigilance against divisive forces. The program was presided over by Arunkant Shukla, State General Secretary of the All India Peace and Unity Organization.
The proceedings were conducted by Dr. Rakesh Gupta, National President of the Medical Association, and Dr. Ashok Shirode, while Tuhin Dev delivered the keynote address. Advocate Lakhan Singh welcomed the gathering.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, where Puniyani addressed concerns from the audience, ranging from historical distortions to the current government’s policies.
He emphasized the importance of a scientific approach, stating, “A society without a scientific outlook cannot be truly aware.”
As a token of appreciation for his tireless efforts toward communal harmony, Puniyani was honoured with a certificate recognizing his work. The program began with a folk song performance by IPTA artist Nisar Ali and his team, adding vibrancy to the event.
Various organizations, including APSO, IPTA, CITU, AITUC, KASAM, and associations representing different religious and professional groups, welcomed Puniyani with floral tributes.
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