Home minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that religious persecution will never be allowed in the country while asserting that India was a “university of tolerance.’’
Home minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that religious persecution will never be allowed in the country while asserting that India was a “university of tolerance.’’
While speaking at a meeting of Christian leaders organised by India Christian Council in the Capital the home minister said, “Tolerance is essential for peaceful existence. People from all religions live peacefully in India and practise their religion without any fear of discrimination. That is why India is a university of tolerance.’’
“There were incidents of attacks on churches in Delhi which came up in the run up to elections (to Delhi assembly). But I would like to say that religious persecution will never be allowed in India whether it is before or after election,’’ Mr Singh added.
The home minister said Christianity came to India almost 2,000 years ago and Kerala is home to St Thomas church which is one of the world’s oldest churches. He said India cannot forget the contribution of Christians, from Saint Thomas to Mother Teresa, who tried to eradicate evils from our society.
Targeting Pakistan, Mr Singh said while India chose to be a secular country, Pakistan declared itself a theocratic state and was now pursuing terrorism as state policy.
It is very unfortunate, the minister remarked, that some countries make terrorism a state policy. There can be differences between people that can be resolved through dialogue but not by taking up guns, he added.
