
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.
What were the five important reasons for AAP's victory in Punjab?
Making Bhagwant Mann CM candidate
This time the Aam Aadmi Party has declar
The night of June 27 brought bad news for Bollywood and TV industry. 'Kaanta Laga Girl' Shefali J
Kashmir government to work for better days ahead: Vohra
Jammu, March 18 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra on Wednesday said the PDP-BJP alli
Case of calling student Kasab: Karnataka Education Minister said, we all use these words
MIT Prof Terrorist Remark: On the matter of a Manipal University professor calling a student "Kas
There is chaos in the entire North India including Delhi due to severe heat. Amidst the scorching
The number of corona infections in the country is rapidly decreasing. Corona report of 1 lakh 79
Issue in Parliament - now patriot Arnab Goswami and Kangana Ranaut
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Friday raised the issue of Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami in Parliam
The 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and kno
Congress's Bharat Jodo Yatra will start on December 28 in West Bengal. The yatra in the state wil
Faster Visa Clearance Project on Mission Mode: Rajnath
New Delhi, Feb 17 (IANS) The government has undertaken implementation of the Immigration, Visa,