‘Come out of prejudiced mindset’

Taking strong exception to the statement of the Archbishop of Delhi about a “turbulent political atmosphere”, the Government on Tuesday asked the priest to come out of his “prejudiced” mindset even as the BJP too made its displeasure known.

While Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi asserted that minorities have progressed at a fast pace in the four years of the Modi Government, which has worked for "development without discrimination", Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh categorically asserted that India does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion or sect, and such things will never be allowed in the country.

While West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Andhra Pradesh counterpart supported the Archbishop, who stood his ground, BJP president Amit Shah said no one should say such things when it comes to religion. When asked Banerjee and Naidu's observation, he said one should not expect anything different from them. West Bengal Chief Minister has supported Bishop's views.

Without referring to the controversial comments of the Archbishop, Singh said: "I have not seen the statement (of the Archbishop) verbatim but all I can say is that India is a country where there is no discrimination against anyone on the basis of caste, sect or religion. Such a thing cannot be allowed." He said on the sidelines of an event of the Border Security Force (BSF) here.

During the event, the Home Minister said the Government will not allow any breach in the unity of the country.

"Sometimes questions are asked to us. We will not compromise on the unity, integrity and sovereignty of this country at any cost and this is our top priority. We are also committed to strengthen the bonds of amity, affinity and harmony in our society," he said.

The Archbishop of Delhi, Anil Couto, had reportedly written a letter to all parish priests in the capital earlier this month asking for a prayer campaign to be launched and also appealing to fast on Fridays in run up to the 2019 general elections.

Citing the "turbulent political atmosphere which poses a threat to the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution and the secular fabric of our nation", the letter says, "It is our hallowed practice to pray for our country and its political leaders all the time but all the more so when we approach the general elections."

Naqvi said that as long as people look at the Narendra Modi Government with a prejudiced mind, they cannot see the progress it has made.

Union Minister K J Alphons, a Christian himself,  said the remarks by Archbishop on the political atmosphere of the country were "unfair" to the Government and that godmen should stay away from politics.

Speaking to a news channel, Alphons noted that voices like those of Couto's were "isolated" ones. The church has no reason to have grievance, he said.

The Archbishop , however, stood his ground  saying he was not involved in politics but insisted that whatever happens around in politics impacts them.

"What else will I talk? Elections & Govt concerns us. We've to have such Govt that cares for freedom of people, rights & welfare of Christian community. I'm not meddling in partisan politics. We're just praying that nation should walk in right direction", said Archbishop.

The Archbishop drew support from Banerjee who said "we respect all communities, castes & Archbishops across the country, including that of Kolkata. I think whatever they said, they correctly said. It's a fact".