Urban Mirror Correspondent
New Delhi: May 22: A Major political row has erupted over a circular of the Archbishop of Delhi Archdiocese Anil Couto to Churches and other Christian institutions asking the community to hold prayers and observe fast on Fridays for the nation’s sake.
In his May 8 letter the Archbishop said that, “ we are witnessing a turbulent political atmosphere which poses a threat to the democratic principles enshrined in our Constitution and the secular fabric of our nation…As we look forward towards 2019, when we will have new government, let us begin a prayer campaign for our country from May 13, 2018 which marks the anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Mother at Fatima, consecrating ourselves and our nation to the Immaculate Heart.” The Archbishop Anil Couto has thus requested the Catholic community to pray and observe fast for the “spiritual renewal” of the country ahead of next year’s general elections.
Even as the Archbishop defended his move saying it was not intended against anybody, the BJP and RSS have launched frontal attack on him for issuing such a circular. However, Secretary to Archbishop of Delhi, Father Robinson clarified that the letter is just an invitation for prayers and is not against the government or the Prime Minister. He said “the Archbishop’s letter is not political, neither it is against the government or against the honourable Prime Minister. Misinformation should not be spread. It is just an invitation for prayers, and such letters have been written in the past too.”
Reacting to the letter Union Minister for Home Rajanath Singh said “India does not allow religious discrimination or casteism”. Defending his government, Singh assured that “minorities are safe” in the country. Clarifying that he had not seen the Archbishop’s circular, Singh said in India “no one is allowed to discriminate on the basis of caste and religion”.
The Lok Gathbandhan Party (LGP) headed by former Secretary Government of India Vijay Shankar Pandey said there should not be any discrimination on the basis of caste and religion. The spokesman of the LGP said on Tuesday that the party has always opposed developmental and welfare works on the basis of caste and creed. The spokesman said the Indian Constitution has guaranteed protection to every citizen and it should be implemented at all cost. The LGP said the party has been working for welfare of every section of the society and minorities should not feel unsafe in the country. Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that, ‘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.’
However there is a feeling in political circle here that the circular is the result of prevailing hostile atmosphere against the minorities and vigilantism by a section of the people during the last few years.
