Appealing all religious groups to act with mutual respect and tolerance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his government would ensure complete freedom of faith for everyone.
"The ancient Indian principle of mutual respect for all faiths is now beginning to manifest in global outreach. We believe religion is personal choice of every citizen. In this context the ancient Indian play of mutual respect for all faiths is now beginning to manifest in global discourses. My government will ensure complete freedom of faith and that everyone has undeniable rights to retain the religion of his or her choice," Prime Minister Modi said at the national celebration of the Elevation to Sainthood of Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Mother Euphrasia.
The Prime Minister strongly condemned violence against any religion on any pretext and added that equal respect for all religions must be in the DNA of every Indian.
"I appeal to all religious groups to act with mutual respect and tolerance. Equal respect for all religions must be in DNA of every Indian, we cannot accept violence against any religion on any pretext. I strongly condemn such violence; my government will act strongly in this regard. With this commitment I appeal all religious groups to act with mutual respect and tolerance in true spirit of this ancient nation," he added.
The Prime Minister also pointed out that the world was increasingly witnessing division and hostility on religious lines which had become a matter of global concern.
"Principle of equal respect has been part of India's ethos for thousands of years and that's how it became integral to constitution of India; we believe there is truth in every religion. However, the world is increasingly witnessing division and hostility on religious lines, this has become a matter of global concern," he stated.
Prime Minister Modi further said that his government would not allow any religious group to incite hatred against others.
"Our government will not allow any religious group belonging to majority or minority to incite violence overtly or covertly. Our government will not allow any religious group to incite hatred against others overtly or covertly. India is a land of Buddha and Gandhi, equal respect for all religion should be in the DNA of every citizen," he said.
There have been five attacks on churches since December. The Saint Alphonsa's Church in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj was vandalised earlier this month while the Holy Auxilium school in Vasant Vihar was robbed this month.
