The leader of a prominent political party in India said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent statement on religious tolerance will silence 'loose cannons' and send a positive message to the rest of the world.
After months of silence and amidst reports of attacks on Christian churches across India, Prime Minister Modi finally spoke out on the issue during a gathering of Indian Catholics in Vigyan Bhawan to commemorate the recent canonisation of two new Indian saints.
"We cannot accept violence against any religion on any pretext and I strongly condemn such violence. My government will act strongly in this regard," the Financial Express quoted the Indian leader as saying.
Modi then vowed that his government would take steps to ensure "complete freedom of faith." The Prime Minister told the gathered Catholics that everyone in India is free to exercise their religious faith and to choose their religion without being coerced or influenced by certain parties.
In response, People's Democratic Party leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that, while the statement was long overdue, it nevertheless will send the "right signal" to the world.
"Though, the Prime Minister's response to the divisive policies of certain elements did not come too soon but his assertion on inclusive and pluralistic character of the country should help in sending right signals to the world," Sayeed said on an article in the Economic Times.
"It will convey that the idea of India continues to offer inspiration for peaceful coexistence of communities and ethnicities," the PDP chief stated.
Sayeed went on to say that he hoped Modi's stand will finally put an end to the activities of "loose cannons of extremist thought."
Modi's government had been criticised for its lack of action towards the violence and persecution perpetuated by radical elements against minorities in India, including Christians and Muslims. Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, said on January that extremists frequently attack Christians "because they are not restrained by the law."
