Negative interpretation of Obama's remark on Indian secularism is futile: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday dismissed the interpretation of U.S. President Barack Obama's Town Hall speech by rival parties, stating that a negative analysis of the visiting leader's words is of no consequence.

"Obama did not speak about secularism of India; he spoke about the secularism of India in a positive sense. Ironically, some people with negative thoughts are trying to interpret it in a different way. But this is of no consequence," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told ANI.

"Obama said that Article 25 of the Indian Constitution speaks of and guarantees religious freedom. This is the anvil, the pivot around which India and countries like America revolve. Because of the freedom India has granted to its citizens, because of the freedom America has granted to its citizens, freedom of thought expresses itself in both of these democracies," he added.

Patra further said President Obama visited the country only because he felt that India is a successful democracy.

"Only because of the fact that Obama felt that India is a successful democracy, he was here for a two day visit. If he would have felt otherwise, he would not have been here," he said.

This conflicting statement comes after earlier in the day, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had criticised U.S. President Barack Obama for his speech, stating that Washington D.C. should not lecture India on religious tolerance.