Bishop Anil Couto's call has Centre, BJP fume

New Delhi: In the wake of the controversy created over Archbishop of Delhi Dr Anil Couto’s letter to all parish priests and religious institutions in the Delhi archdiocese to launch a prayer campaign ahead of the 2019 general elections, Union home minister Rajnath Singh and minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Tuesday that  India does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion or sect, and that the archbishop should come out of his “prejudiced” mindset and have a “progressive mindset”. 

In his letter, the archbishop claimed that a “turbulent political atmosphere” in the country posed a threat to India’s constitutional principles and secular fabric, and appealed for a “prayer campaign”. BJP president Amit Shah also asked the archbishop not to say anything that could lead to religious polarisation. “I believe nobody should talk of polarising the people on the basis of religion,” he said. But despite the advice by his own party chief to the archbishop, BJP leader and Union minister Giriraj Singh tweeted: “The Church receives an order from Italy whereas pseudo-seculars get their support from fatwa Pakistan. The day will soon come when Hindus understand this and smash both to save India.”

The archbishop, meanwhile, later clarified on Tuesday that his comments were not aimed at the government. “What I said is spend time once a week for our nation and specially because elections are coming and the government concerns all of us. So it is not in any way pertaining to the government of Narendra Modi,” Dr Couto said when asked about the letter.

Another Union minister K.J. Alphons said the remarks by the Archbishop of Delhi were “unfair” to the government and that godmen should stay away from politics.
Asserting that India does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion or sect, Mr Rajnath Singh said such things will never be allowed in the country. “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,” said Mr Singh on the sidelines of a Border Security Force function. 

He added: “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 strengthen the bonds of amity, affinity and harmony in our society.” Asking the Archbishop of Delhi to come out of his “prejudiced” mindset, Mr Naqvi said the minorities have progressed at a fast pace in the four years of the Narendra Modi government.