MUMBAI, Nov. 1 -- Even as religious polarisation continues to frame prevailing narratives-whether within housing societies, WhatsApp groups, or high-decibel election rallies-around 50 religious and civil society representatives gathered on Saturday at the Third Parliament on Religions 2026, resolving to actively fight the menace. In stark contrast to the loud slogans, othering, and religious browbeating of polarisers, a quiet resolve to foster open dialogue and build bridges prevailed at the event. The Parliament, held at the Bahai Society at Marine Lines, was co-hosted by the Inter-Religious Solidarity Council (IRSC) and the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS). Religious leaders, including a Catholic Bishop and representatives from ISKCON, alongside scholars and civil society figures, assembled under the umbrella theme 'The Courage to Live Together'. This core phrase stems directly from the Parliament's mission statement, which reads: "The courage to live together is expressed through our everyday choices: to question prejudice, protect one another's dignity, remain in dialogue across differences and act together for the common good." Attendees pledged to collaborate through inter-faith dialogues to tackle religious polarisation fueled by prejudice, distorted historical narratives, misinformation, social segregation, and widespread fear. Rather than sugar-coating reality, participants highlighted the necessity for deep self-introspection. They stressed calling out problematic aspects within their own respective faiths, such as caste discrimination, homophobia, and gender inequality. Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes, representing the Catholic faith, proposed forming local interfaith committees through neighbourhood Advanced Locality Managements (ALMs) to organise shared meals, cultural exchanges, and workshops on constitutional values. He suggested these committees could address local concerns and visit various religious institutions, stating, "Instead of looking at issues that divide us, we could join hands on issues that concern us all like El Nino, the degradation of Nature, education, jobs and economic crises." Sabah Khan, co-founder of Parcham, emphasized reversing ghettoisation and equipping youth for interfaith engagement. Residing in Mumbra, she promoted initiatives like 'Mera Ghar Aake Dekho' (Come Visit My House) to dissolve deep-seated prejudices. Proposing food events as icebreakers, Khan added that housing societies and businesses should receive tax exemptions for maintaining diverse demographics. She noted that while dialogue brings discomfort, it remains vital for challenging assumptions and addressing historical injustices. Prof. Krishna Abhishek Ghosh stressed that peacebuilders must become just as well-organised as war-mongering forces. Observing how global conflicts drive food and fuel inflation, he argued for linking economic benefits to peace initiatives and suggested uniting citizens around common causes like greening Mumbai. Meanwhile, Maulana Zaheer Abbas Rizvi regretted how isolated bad actors are used to stereotype entire communities, recalling how Hindus and Muslims peacefully coexist in his hometown of Ayodhya. The assembly called on individuals to challenge hatred within families, neighbourhoods, religious spaces, and digital platforms while standing in solidarity with victims of discrimination. Concurrently, theologian Virginia Saldanha identified the twinning of the religious right with opportunistic politics as the global "elephant in the room."...