In today’s world, we often see various acts of social work aimed at helping people in need. This might be providing food to the hungry, distributing blankets to the homeless, or organizing healthcare for those who cannot afford it. Recently, however, a video on social media highlighted a troubling trend. In this video, food was being distributed outside Tata Memorial Hospital. While this may have seemed like a great social cause at first, there was an unexpected twist. People were reportedly being asked to chant “Jay Shree Ram” in exchange for food. This raises an important question: Is this really social work if people are required to perform religious acts to receive help?

What Is True Social Work?

True social work is about helping those in need without expecting anything in return. It’s about uplifting people, providing resources, and offering support purely for the sake of humanity. Acts of social work can vary from feeding the poor, providing medical assistance, creating shelters, or simply offering a listening ear. In genuine social work, there are no conditions, no expectations, and no affiliations tied to the help being provided. People receive help based on need alone.

When social work becomes conditional, it loses the essence of its purpose. If people are expected to say or do something to receive help, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly helping, or are we merely using these people for a hidden agenda?

Why Mixing Religion with Social Work Creates Problems

Religion can be a source of hope and strength for many. However, when it is mixed with social work, issues can arise. Forcing people to perform religious acts as a condition for receiving help is not only insensitive but also goes against the principles of equality and respect. Each person has the right to their own beliefs, and forcing them to say or do something that goes against those beliefs, even in the name of social work, is harmful.

Imagine if every religious group started enforcing their beliefs on people in exchange for help. A Christian organization might ask people to recite a specific prayer; a Muslim group might expect a particular phrase to be spoken. If every group adopts this approach, then social work becomes less about help and more about imposing beliefs.

The Dangers of Turning Social Work into a Platform for Religious Promotion

Social work is respected around the world because it is based on kindness, empathy, and selflessness. When we add religious promotion to it, we risk undermining these values. Forcing religious acts upon vulnerable people in exchange for food, shelter, or medical help creates a power imbalance. Those in need may feel pressured to comply simply because they have no other choice. This does not foster respect or understanding; instead, it creates fear and resentment.

Additionally, when people see such practices happening, they may become hesitant to seek help from social organizations, fearing they will be pressured into acting against their beliefs. This could lead to a lack of trust in social organizations and even discourage people from participating in or supporting charitable causes.

Where Does Humanity Fit In?

Humanity is the foundation of true social work. Humanity means recognizing the dignity of every person, no matter their background, beliefs, or life choices. When someone reaches out to help another human, it should be because of a shared sense of compassion and the belief that everyone deserves respect and support.

If humanity remains our focus, social work can become a bridge that brings people together. It becomes a way to promote understanding, unity, and mutual respect. When people see acts of social work that are based purely on love and compassion, they are more likely to be inspired to do the same.

However, when humanity takes a back seat, social work becomes less about compassion and more about control. We lose the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the world.

What Are We Really Promoting?

If we continue down this path, where people are asked to say or do specific things before receiving help, what are we promoting? Are we promoting unity or division? Are we encouraging kindness, or are we teaching people that help comes with strings attached?

When we make social work conditional on religion or belief, we risk promoting division and mistrust. We are teaching people that to get help, they must put aside their beliefs or do something that might make them uncomfortable. This is not the message we want to send.

How Can We Keep Social Work Focused on Humanity?

To bring the focus back to humanity, we must respect each person’s right to their beliefs. We should create environments where people feel safe to seek help without fear of judgment or expectation. Social organizations should work hard to keep their missions clear and focused on kindness and respect for all.

Governments and communities can also play a role by setting guidelines for social work activities. By emphasizing that no person should be required to say or do anything they’re uncomfortable with to receive help, we can promote fair and compassionate social work practices.

Finally, as individuals, we can make sure we support organizations that keep humanity at the core of their missions. When we donate our time, money, or resources, we should ensure they are going to organizations that truly serve people without discrimination or expectation.

Final Thoughts: Humanity First

In the end, social work should be about love and support for one another. If people continue to use social work as a tool to promote specific beliefs, we risk losing the very heart of what it means to help others. Humanity should always be our guiding principle. People in need deserve kindness, respect, and dignity, not conditions.

Social work is one of the most powerful ways to bring positive change into the world. Let’s keep it pure and focused on humanity. By doing so, we can create a world where everyone feels safe to seek help and where kindness truly knows no boundaries.

Check Full Video: CLICK HERE