Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke strongly against attacks on Christian establishments in Delhi, and said his "government will not allow any religious group to incite hatred and will strongly act against any religious violence." He also appealed to all religious groups to "act with restraint, mutual respect".
Prime Minister was speaking at the function organised by Syro-Malabar Church to celebrate the sainthood of two Indians - Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Mother Euphrasia at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The two Indians were canonised last December by Pope Francis in Vatican city.
Speaking strongly against the church attacks, PM Modi said, "Our government will not allow any religious group from the majority or minority to incite hatred covertly or overtly."
"There is truth in every religion. My government will ensure that there is complete freedom of faith," he said.
Congratulating the Sainthood of the two Indians, the honourable Prime Minister said, "The lives of Saints Kuriakose and Mother Euphrasia are inspirations not only to the Christian community but to all of humanity. The whole country is proud of their elevation," he said.
"Mother India has given birth to many spiritual and religious saints, some of them have gone beyond borders. Tradition of welcoming and honouring them is as old as India," the PM said.
"I appeal to all religious groups to act with restraint, mutual respect," he added.
Invoking Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, PM Modi said, "Religious tolerance should be in the DNA of all Indians. Religion is a matter of personal choice. We will not allow anyone to spread hatred. India will remain secular," he said.
Invoking Vivekananda's word, Modi said: "We accept all religions are true. This principle of equal respect and treatment of all faith have been a part of India's ethos for a thousands of years. And that is how it has become an integral part of the Constitution of India. Our constitution did not evolve in a vacuum, it has it roots in ancient culture and tradition of India."
"Rabindranath Tagore has inspired us where the mind is without fear and the head is held high. It is the heaven of freedom where we are duty bound to create and preserve it. We believe that there is truth in every religion," he said.
Speaking about religious intolerance around the world, he said, "The world is increasingly witnessing division and hostility on religious lines. This has become a matter of global concern. In this context, the ancient Indian play of mutual respect of all faith it manifests in global discourses."
He added that this long felt need and urge of mutually respect of religions led to the interfaith conference of faith in human rights at the Hague in December 2008. Coincidentally, it was also the 60th anniversary of Universal Human Rights declaration by the United Nations.
"Religious leaders representating every major world religion - Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Bahai faith, Islam, Taoism and indigenous religions discussed and pledged to uphold the Universal declaration and the Freedom of religion or belief. In the historic declaration, they defined what constituted freedom of faith and how it is to be safeguarded."
"Everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence," he said.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who also spoke at the occasion strongly condemns the church attacks and said, "These incidents and people have no place in India."
Prime Minister Modi had earlier summoned Delhi Police Chief B.S. Bassi to update him and also to institute a single team to investigate all the attacks on churches and a school in the capital through Home secretary. This is the first time the Prime Minister has spoken strongly against the church attacks in public.
