No discrimination against anyone in the country: Rajnath Singh on Archbishop's letter
New Delhi, May 23 (IBNS): In the wake of Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto's "politically charged" letter on threat to secularism in India that riling the ruling BJP at the centre, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has denied such prevalence in the country.
Singh's comment came after the Archbishop wrote a letter to all Parish priests citing "the turbulent political atmosphere" which poses threat to the secularism of the country.
The Archbishop also asked all to launch a prayer campaign and to hold fasts on Fridays in the run up to the next General Elections, which will be held in 2019.
Archbishop Couto's letter has been quoted by NDTV, "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."
On the sidelines of an event in the national capital on Tuesday, Singh countered the Archbishop speaking to media. The Union minister 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."
"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 strengthening the bonds of amity, affinity and harmony in our society" Singh added.
Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) Rajya Sabha MP, Subramanian Swamy tweeted, "The PM must direct MEA to scrap the diplomatic relations with Vatican and seal its Embassy in Chanakyapuri because the Archbishop is a formal nominee of the Vatican."
The PM must direct MEA to scrap the diplomatic relations with Vatican and seal the its Embassy in Chanakyapuri because the Archbishop is a formal nominee of the Vatican
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) May 23, 2018
The Archibishop's letter has drawn a comment from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as well.
Supporting the Archbishop, Banerjee said: "We have great regards and respect for all the communities, cast, creed. We also respect all the Archbishops all over the country......I think whatever they have said, they have correctly said. It's a fact."
Image: facebook.com/RajnathSinghBJP
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