``Let the students of any school in the country be allowed to study religious books as they want to. It is then that they will learn to respect all religions and only then can we attain true secularism,'' he told mediapersons on the occasion of chaturmas samaroh here today.

Utmost importance, he stressed, should be given to addressing the problems of social and financial equality for social justice, religious tolerance and mutual brotherhood are the only way to nation building and prosperity.

``But a conspiracy is on to divide the nation on the grounds of religion, caste, language and region by some selfish countrymen, together with foreign powers''.

He said while the nuclear tests are welcome, no bomb could save the country if people were notvigilant. Extremist and separatist movements in the border states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Assam are aided by foreign mercenaries ``but we are responsible, for we, separated by our various differences and interests, give them the opportunity to function.''