Modi’s enigmatic silence on divisive campaigns such as "ghar vapasi" (re-conversion of Muslims as Hindus) was widely criticised, including by international media. United States President Barack Obama also lamented increasing religious violence in India, on two recent occasions.
Source/Credit: The Island News
By S. Venkat Narayan | February 18, 2015
NEW DELHI, February 17: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to all minority communities across the country on Tuesday. He declared: "My government will stand by individual’s right to freedom of faith.’’
Breaking his months-long silence and speaking out for the first time after a series of attacks on churches and a Christian school in the national capital, Modi said: ``Fanaticism will not be tolerated….My government will give equal respect to all religions, and will not allow any form of violence against any religion.
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The Prime Minister’s message at a function organised by the Catholic Church here to celebrate the elevation to sainthood of Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Mother Euphrasia – both from Kerala – was instantly interpreted as a warning to extremist groups against indulging in acts of fanaticism. It was promptly welcomed by many.
Even though four out of every five people living in this country of 1,270 people, India takes pride in being a secular democracy. But religion harmony is marred by occasional riots. It is the birthplace of four of the world’s major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Throughout India’s history, religion has been an important part of the country’s culture. Religious diversity and religious tolerance are both established in the country by the law and custom.
Modi’s enigmatic silence on divisive campaigns such as "ghar vapasi" (re-conversion of Muslims as Hindus) was widely criticised, including by international media. United States President Barack Obama also lamented increasing religious violence in India, on two recent occasions.
Modi was as unambiguous as he could get. His government believes ``that there is truth in all religions,’’ he said. ``We consider the freedom to have, to retain, and to adopt, a religion or belief is a personal choice of a citizen."
Assuring religious freedom for all, the Prime Minister noted that religious intolerance is a global concern. ``Today we are celebrating the sainthood of two Indians. Spiritualism is rooted in India’s culture and our openness to new idea is present even in the Rig Veda,’’ he said.
"Religion is a personal choice, and I appeal to all religious leaders that they should follow restraint, mutual respect and tolerance of all religion. We will not allow any minority or majority group to propagate hatred against any community overtly or covertly. Equal respect for all religions should be part of the DNA of all Indians,’’ he proclaimed.
The PM said his mantra is `development’.
Also speaking out against the recent attacks on Churches and a Christian school in the Capital, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely said: ``These attacks are unacceptable aberrations and there is no space in India for such incidents and people.’’
Among the dignitaries present at the function were Cardinal George Alencherry, Archbishops Andrews Thazhath, Kuriakose Bharanikulangara and Anil Couto. Senior political leaders, including Union Minister for Minority Affairs Dr Najma Heptulla and PJ Kurien, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, extending the support of the Christian community in nation-building, Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church Cardinal George Alencherry said: ``Conversions cannot be done by false means. Government’s alleged plans to bring in new laws in this regard will create animosity and destroy the peace and harmony in the country.’’
Christians are peace-loving people. "However, this should not be used to trample us. We also appeal to the Prime Minister to look into the issue of Dalit Christian rights."
According to published data based on the 2001 census, 80.5% of the population of India practice Hinduism. Islam (13.4%), Christianity (2.3%), Sikhism (1.9%), Buddhism (0.8%) and Jainism (0.4%) are the other major religions followed by the people of India. There are also numerous minor ethnically-bound faiths, though these have been affected by major religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity.
The Muslim population of India is the third largest in the world. India also has the third largest Shia population in the world and being the cradle of the Ahmadiyya Islam, it is one of very few countries in the world with at least one million Ahmadi Muslims.
The Constitution of India declares the nation to be a secular republic that must uphold the right of citizens to freely worship and propagate any or no religion or faith. It also declares the right to freedom of religion to be a fundamental right.
Read original post here: Modi severely warns Hindu religious fanatics against attacks on minorities
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