New Delhi: Union Minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday lamented that religion was being used by politicians to further their electoral interests and hoped that in future such issues would not be raked up by political parties.
"No religion preaches hatred. But I am sorry to say that religion is used to further electoral politics," Abdullah said here.
He hoped that a day will come when such issues are not used as a political tool.
He was speaking at a convocation ceremony of a personality development programme organised by Indian Islamic Cultural Centre.
AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh, who was also present, said the institution has become a symbol of "Hindu-Muslim unity" as students from both the communities participated in the programme to hone their skills.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan said such programmes help build confidence level in youth, especially from the minority community.