New Delhi: The Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto has stirred controversy after saying a “turbulent political atmosphere” in India posed a threat to the secular fabric of the country.
The senior priest appealed for a prayer campaign ahead of the 2019 general elections.
“We are witnessing a turbulent political atmosphere, which poses a threat to democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution and the secular fabric of our nation,” Couto said a few days ago in a letter addressed to all the churches in the capital.
He called upon Catholics to start a year-long prayer campaign for the “spiritual renewal” of the country.
“As we look forward towards 2019, when we will have a new government, let us begin a prayer campaign for our country,” the letter reads.
He said praying before the upcoming elections was the need of the hour.
“It is our hallowed practice to pray for our country and its political leaders all the time, but all the more when we approach the general elections.Let us begin the prayer campaign from May 13,” Couto said in the letter.
He also asked for organising an eucharistic adoration every Friday in all parishes to pray for the nation.
“May the ethos of true democracy envelop our elections with dignity and the flames of honest patriotism enkindle our political leaders,” the prayer format read.
Couto said the idea behind the exercise was to protect legislatures as place of discerning minds, raising judiciary as the hallmark of integrity, prudence and justice and keeping print, visual and social media as the channels of truth for edifying discourses.
Reacting to the letter, union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that India did not discriminate against anybody on the basis of religion.
“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,” Singh told media.
He said his government was committed to enforcing unity among different communities.
“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,” Singh said.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shaina NC also slammed the letter written by the archbishop.
“It is wrong to try and instigate castes or communities. You can tell them to vote for the right candidate or party but to suggest to vote for one party and not another and term yourself as secular is unfortunate, “ NC said.
RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha described the circular as “direct attack on Indian secularism and democracy.”
He said the bishops were accountable to the Pope and not India.
“The real reason behind this letter is that after the formation of the Prime Minister Modi’s government, the church-oriented non governmental organisations received less money due to stricter laws. The Church organisations used to take this money for a variety of cause but in reality, utilise this only for religious conversions. They want a government to be made so that their conversion business flourishes,” Sinha told media.
