Whatever the reasons for which Mr Modi has chosen, at long last, to speak up about this important issue, the content of his speech should be welcomed. He quoted an international declaration to which India was a party to insist that the "freedom to have, to retain, and to adopt a religion or belief" would continue to be a priority; he added that his government would give "equal respect to all religions". Further, his speech was peppered with references to India's openness to spiritual influences. Much of this will come as reassurance to India's minorities, even though Mr Modi's critics will say that these were possibly aimed at disarming the Opposition political parties in Parliament where during the forthcoming Budget session the government will need their support to push through its legislative agenda including the passage of some ordinances. But there is little doubt that Mr Modi's assurances will also be seen as a rebuke to conservative elements in Mr Modi's own Sangh Parivar, the family of right-wing Hindu organisations led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), of which Mr Modi has been a life-long member. However, it is important to note that several in the RSS and its affiliates are interpreting Mr Modi's speech differently. They view it as a rebuke to the missionary activities of churches - in particular the reference to a right to "retain" a religion or belief, and another reference to "undue influence" on personal religious choice.
Overall, it is likely that Mr Modi's words will give pause to those within his party and its fraternal organisations who viewed the sweeping victory in last year's general elections as empowering them to bully India's minorities. And, given that, Mr Modi deserves full and ungrudging credit for speaking out, and for the sentiments he expressed.