New Delhi, Feb 6 (IANS) India has a history of tolerance, and aberrations can't alter it, the government said Friday after US President Barack Obama said “acts of intolerance" in India would have shocked Mahatma Gandhi.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Home Minister Rajnath Singh reacted to Obama’s statement at a National Prayer Breakfast along with Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama in Washington Thursday.
This is the second time in 10 days that Obama referred to religious tolerance in India. At a Jan 27 talk in New Delhi, he had said that “India will succeed so long as it is not splintered on religious lines”.
Asked about Obama’s latest statement, Jaitely said: “India has a huge history of tolerance. Any aberration doesn’t alter India's history of tolerance."
Obama had said: “Michelle and I returned from India - an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity - but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs - acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation."
Rajnath Singh, speaking in Uttarakhand, said: "India is the only country where you find people of all sects of all religions and we do not discriminate against anybody on the basis of religion caste and creed."
Other political parties used Obama's remarks to target the Narendra Modi government.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal quipped: "I think Modi will answer this; they (Modi and Obama) are very good friends."
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad tweeted: “My position on religious liberty endorsed by Obama.”
Manish Tewari of the Congress posted a sarcasm-laced tweet: "Did the Prime Ministerial Tea reinforce Barack's understanding of the revivalism and intolerance intrinsic in the BJP government."
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad meanwhile asked Obama not to sermonize and instead take care of the Blacks in the US.
In his Jan 27 speech at Siri Fort, Obama had said: “India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along the lines of religious faith -- so long as it's not splintered along any lines -- and is unified as one nation.”
The speech, his final before leaving for the US after a three-day visit, was viewed in the backdrop of controversial utterances by rightwing fringe elements of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
The White House, however, said the speech had been misconstrued as a kind of a parting shot.
"I think that's been somewhat misconstrued, if you look at the context of the entire speech, it's really about inclusivity. It's about the power of diversity," said Phil Reiner, White House's senior director for South Asian Affairs.
Team India will break the world record in England: In T20, the chance to beat the British for the most number of times in their home, also the race between Virat-Rohit
Team India is now on a tour of Europe after finishing the 5 T20 match series against South Africa at 2-2. After playing two matches against Ireland, the Indian team will play 1 Test match against
Why did Dr. Harsh Vardhan speak to Manmohan Singh - Congress leaders do not think like you
Former PM Manmohan Singh wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioning ways to control the corona in the country. Now, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has targeted other Congress
Australia's Faulkner likely to return against Afghanistan
Perth, March 2 (IANS) Australia all-rounder James Faulkner is likely to make a return to cricket in their World Cup game against Afghanistan on Wednesday at the WACA after recovering from a
My Government's Religion is 'India First': Modi
New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said his government, which followed the religion of "India first", was working keeping in mind the thought of "development of all" with
Uproar in Rajya Sabha over BBC interview of rapist
New Delhi, March 4 (IANS) The Rajya Sabha witnessed uproar on Wednesday on the interview of a December 16 gang-rape convict to BBC, as members sought to know from the government how this was
Big threat to the world, Chinese rocket weighing 23 tons falling back on the earth
China, which is building its space station, has suffered another major setback. The 23-ton rocket sent by the Chinese Space Agency has failed after launch and is falling back towards the Earth. This
PPC 2023: PM Modi will discuss exams on January 27, and will address students, teachers and parents
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with students, teachers, and parents in the upcoming edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha on 27 January 2023. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has given
Gyanvapi Masjid Controversy: After all, how can a mosque be named Gyanvapi?
The observations made by the Supreme Court in the Gyanvapi case have increased the chances of the case reaching its logical conclusion, as it agreed to a large extent with the stand of the Varanasi
The survey report of Sambhal Shahi Mosque will be presented in court today, there is a claim of finding Hindu symbols.
The report of the survey conducted on Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid will be presented in Chandausi court today (29 November). Given this, security has been tightened around Chandausi Court. A large
What medicine does Rahul take, so he does not feel cold: BJP asked about wearing half a T-shirt in the journey, and Jairam said – his skin is thick, what else should I answer
Rahul Gandhi's T-shirt is once again in discussion in Bharat Jodo Yatra. This time Haryana's Agriculture Minister JP Dalal raised questions. He said, 'Wherever I go, people ask a question. What kind
