Under fire for the attacks and acts of vandalism against the Christian community since his government was formed in May, last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his government will not stand for religious intolerance.
"My government will ensure that there is complete freedom of faith," said Modi on Tuesday. He was speaking at a function held by the Syro-Malabar Church in Delhi to celebrate beatification of Saints Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Mother Euphrasia.
Modi's government has also been severely criticised for not speaking out against the "Gharwapsi" reconversions of Muslims and Christians being carried out by Hindutva groups across the country. On Monday, 36 persons including members of a Roman Catholic family were reportedly re-converted in the seaport town of Kollam in Kerala.
During his visit to India in January, President Barack Obama said that India would not succeed if "splintered" on religious lines. After he returned to the United States, Obama said that Mahatma Gandhi would be "shocked" at the religious intolerance in India over the past few years.
In December, St Sebastian’s Church in Delhi’s Dilshad Garden was gutted by a fire, and a week later, stones were thrown at a Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Okhla during the evening mass.
A week after the Christian community staged a protest in Delhi, Modi met with the Delhi police commissioner B.S. Bassi on Friday. "The prime minister expressed his concern and said this case must be solved immediately," Bassi said after the meeting. "He said that security must be foolproof so that attacks don’t re-occur."
Speaking at the Syro-Malabar Church function on Tuesday, Modi made his strongest commitment yet to ensuring India's secular credentials.
Mother India gave birth to many religious and spiritual streams. Some of them have even travelled beyond Indian borders: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 17, 2015
As Swami Vivekananda said- We believe not only in universal toleration but we accept all religions as true: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 17, 2015
This principle of equal respect and treatment for all faiths has been a part of India's ethos for thousands of years: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 17, 2015
Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore had inspired us to dream of a land where the mind is without fear and the head is held high: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 17, 2015
The world is increasingly witnessing division and hostility on religious lines. This has become a matter of global concern: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 17, 2015
My government will ensure that there is complete freedom of faith: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 17, 2015
Everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 17, 2015
Government will not allow any religious group, belonging to majority or minority to incite hatred against others overtly or covertly: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 17, 2015
Unity strengthens us. Division weakens us. I sincerely request all Indians and all of you present here to support me in this huge task: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 17, 2015