
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.
US woman lawmaker Ilhan Omar has questioned the administration of her President Joe Biden for Ame
Amid the growing threat of a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, immunization of adolescents
Beirut blast: Less than a month's grain left in Lebanon after the blast
135 people have lost their lives and more than 4000 people have been injured in the devastating b
Tata Group, one of the country's most trusted companies, is set to invest Rs 3000 crore in resear
There is often news of tension between India and Pakistan, but very rarely when it comes to love
There will be a tough contest between the two heroines in the Hooghly Lok Sabha seat of West Beng
Amidst Corona crisis, Army Chief met PM Modi, Narwane gave information about preparations
Army Chief Manoj Mukund Narwane met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today amid growing Corona cases
Bigg Boss is a controversial show that always captures people's attention for one reason or anoth
Government's tenet is development of all: Mukherjee
New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee Monday said that the fundamental tenet of th
Ruckus on oil prices: Finance minister blames UPA government, blames oil bonds
During the Russo-Ukraine war, where Brent crude prices are in the sky, on the other hand, oil pri