New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) The European Union Wednesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on religious freedom and said that his remarks were "entirely in line with the Indian constitution".
A European Union ambassador Joao Cravinho, to a question from the media here, said that Modi's remarks were "upholding the basic principles of freedom of religion, were very welcome and unremarkable".
He said Modi's remarks are "entirely in line with the Indian constitution, and it is not surprising he made the remarks".
"We welcome that because we know very well there are elements of discordance resulting from radical statements by different groups and it is important for political leaders to be aware of the explosive potential of religious divisiveness and communal conflicts, and Prime Minister Modi's statements were highlighting such concern," he said.
On Tuesday, Modi said his government will ensure complete freedom of faith and will not allow any religious group to incite hatred against others "overtly or covertly".
Addressing Christian leaders at a function here, the prime minister reached out to them, saying he strongly condemned violence against any religion.
"We cannot accept violence against any religion on any pretext, and I strongly condemn such violence. My government will act strongly in this regard," he said.
Modi's remarks in support of freedom of religion came in the wake of a string of attacks on churches in the capital and controversial utterances by saffron right-wing fringe elements.
US President Barack Obama had during his visit to India last month said that "India will succeed so long as it is not splintered on religious lines".
Later during a National Prayer Breakfast meeting in Washington, Obama said that Mahatma Gandhi would have been shocked at the acts of intolerance in India.
Modi's comments also came days after his Bharatiya Janata Party was routed in the Delhi assembly elections, halting his party's winning spree since last year's general elections.
Former Indian team batsman Shikhar Dhawan has left the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office after
There has been a ruckus in Islamic countries over the statement made by former BJP spokesperson N
Photographers said to Ranbir Kapoor - father to be born, see what was the answer
As soon as Alia Bhatt announced the news of her pregnancy, the paparazzi started congratulating N
Migrant workers in Kashmir are again the target of terrorists. This is the second terrorist attac
India expressed serious concern over the spread of terrorism in Asia and Africa. India insisted t
Anju's life completely changed after she went to Pakistan from Bhiwadi in the Alwar district of R
BJP MP from Pilibhit, Varun Gandhi is constantly attacking his party. On Monday, once again, by t
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in the ongoing Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on Wedne
Mark Zuckerberg: Meta Launches NFT Support in 100 Countries on Instagram
Facebook's parent company Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said that the company is going to introduc
The phase of violence has continued since the results of the assembly elections in Bengal. BJP ho
