Republic Day religious freedom plea

Reeling under the continuing clamour from ruling Hindu nationalists for India to be turned into a “Hindu nation”, Christians gave a cautious welcome to President Pranab Mukherjee’s Republic Day message that insisted: “Religion is a force for unity; we cannot make it a cause of conflict,” writes Anto Akkara.

“The Indian constitution is the holy book of democracy. It is a lodestar for the socioeconomic transformation of an India whose civilisation has celebrated pluralism, advocated tolerance and promoted goodwill among diverse communities,” Mr Mukherjee said  in his address to the nation on 25 January, the eve of Republic Day.

“We are happy the president has spoken out,” said Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis, the ­bishops’ conference president. “But  Prime Minister Narendra Modi must speak out also.”