Vow to uphold religious freedom

Ending months of silence on anti-Christian violence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week made a categorical assurance of security and freedom of religion to India’s embattled minorities, writes Anto Akkara.

“My Government will ensure complete freedom of faith,” promised Mr Modi on Tuesday while attending the celebrations in New Delhi organised by the Syro-Malabar Church to mark twin canonisations last November of  Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sr Euphrasia Eluvathingal.

“My Government will not allow any religious group to incite hatred against others, overtly or covertly,” Mr Modi told more than 1,000 Catholics at the celebration led by Syro-Malabar Church Cardinal George Alencherry.