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India a country where minorities are safe: Rajnath Singh on archbishop's letter

WION Web Team
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: May 22, 2018, 02:08 PM IST
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File photo of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Photograph:(Zee News Network)

As expected, the letter by Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto has set off a firestorm of controversy. 

The letter, which was sent to all of Delhi's churches, had said India's secular fabric is under threat. The letter had also asked for prayers before the 2019 election. 

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh responded to the letter saying India was a country where minorities are safe, and that no one is allowed to discriminate on the basis of religion or caste. 

"I have not seen the letter, but I want to say India is one of those countries where minorities are safe and no one is allowed to discriminate on the basis of caste and religion," Singh said. 

Other reactions however were more forceful. 

Minister of State for Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh said "every action has a reaction". Adding, "I won't take a step that disrupts communal harmony. But if church asks people to pray so that Modi government isn't formed, country will have to think that people from other religions will do 'kirtan pooja'." 

Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the "PM is working towards inclusive growth without discriminating while breaking barriers of religion and castes." 

"We can only ask them to think with progressive mindset," he added. 

The archbishop's secretary, Father Robinson, meanwhile said that "the Archbishop's letter is not political, neither it is against the government or against the honourable PM. Misinformation should not be spread." 

He added that prayer campaigns have been called for earlier too. But that this one is being politicised.