The archbishop of Delhi, Anil Couto, has claimed that a "turbulent political atmosphere" in the country posed a threat to India's constitutional principles and secular fabric, and appealed to followers of his faith for a "prayer campaign".
However, as he faced criticism from BJP leaders, the archbishop today said his comments were not directed at the Narendra Modi government.
Couto had written a letter to all parish priests and religious institutions in the Delhi archdiocese a few days before the May 12 Karnataka elections.
The archbishop, in his letter, said, "We are witnessing a turbulent political atmosphere, which poses threat to democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution and the secular fabric of our nation."
Facing criticism from BJP leaders and ministers of the Modi government over the letter, Couto said, "What I have said is spend time once a week for our nation and specially because elections are coming and government concerns us, all of us."
The format of the prayer suggested by Couto stated: "May the ethos of true democracy envelop our elections with dignity and the flames of honest patriotism enkindle our political leaders."
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