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.
Parliament: Shah will give statement in Rajya Sabha on Delhi violence, Jaishankar discusses Corona
Delhi violence will be discussed in Rajya Sabha today. The BJP has issued a whip asking its MPs t
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached the US capital, Washington, D.C., where he was given a g
Noida's Supertech Twin Tower is now history. Both towers were demolished at exactly 2.30 pm on Su
The family of Akshay Shinde, accused in the Badlapur rape case, has made serious allegations agai
The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing till Monday on the crisis arising out of the rights o
The ED questioned Rahul Gandhi for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in the money laundering
What is Sharia law and what does it mean for Afghan women under 'Taliban rule'?
The Taliban have said they will rule Afghanistan according to a strict interpretation of Islam's
Cryptocurrencies are invested heavily all over the world. Litecoin was at $184.92 (Rs 9,306.75) i
Amidst the scenes on Friday of deceased tourists being recovered from the cruise boat that sank i
Votes are being cast for the assembly elections in Karnataka today. In this festival of democracy
