New Delhi: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Nov 8) hit out at the critics of Indian ethos which regarded secularism as equal respect for all religions and said that they would not succeed.

"Indian ethos regards secularism as equal respect for all religions. But even this is being criticised these days. However, those opposed to such a concept of secularism would not succeed," he said at a function at his residence to mark Guru Nanak's Prakash Ustav as Universal Brotherhood Day.

Asserting that truth will prevail and religion will triumph, Vajpayee, donning a saffron turban, said Guru Nanak descended on the earth at a time when the entire humanity was in danger at the hands of destructive forces, when injustice was raising its ugly head and there was none to protect mankind.

He said Guru Nanak kindled awareness among the people and preached to them to differentiate between good and evil and raised his voice against certain old traditions based on birth, caste and community creating chasms in society.

The Prime Minister said none was great or small by birth, it was the deeds, which made people great and added that perpetrators of atrocity do not last long and terrorism gets humbled.

Stating that Guru Nanak's message of peace, love and brotherhood was very relevant today, he said there were many paths leading to God. But when people clashed with each other and created obstructions on the way to reach the Almighty, great saints like Guru Nanak show the right way to the people.

PTI