Delhi Archbishop calls for prayers, fast before 2019 polls; says it has nothing to do with Modi Govt

Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?

Delhi's Archbishop Anil Couto has kicked up a storm with his remark that a "turbulent political atmosphere" posed a threat to India's democratic principles and secular fabric, a charge rejected by the government which today said the comments reflected his "prejudiced" mindset.

Couto had written a letter to all parish priests and religious institutions in the Delhi archdiocese a few days before the May 12 Karnataka elections, calling for a "prayer campaign" ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The archbishop, who also asked Christians to fast every Friday "for the nation", today clarified his letter had nothing to do with the Narendra Modi government.

While Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said India did not discriminate on the basis of religion or sect, his ministerial colleague Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi asked the archbishop to come out of his "prejudiced" mindset and asserted that minorities had progressed at a fast pace under the current government.

Couto's comments were criticised by the BJP, with party president Amit Shah stressing that it was "not appropriate" to polarise people around religion.

The archbishop later clarified his comments were not aimed at the government.

"What I said is spend time once a week for our nation and especially because elections are coming and government concerns all of us. So it is not in any way pertaining to the government of Narendra Modi," Couto said when asked about the letter.

Union Minister of Tourism K J Alphons said the remarks were "unfair" to the government and "godmen" should stay away from politics.

The archbishop, in his letter, said, "We are witnessing a turbulent political atmosphere, which poses threat to democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution and the secular fabric of our nation."
It also asked for organising a eucharistic adoration every Friday in all parishes and religious institutions, specifically to pray for the nation. The prayer format states: "May the ethos of true democracy envelop our elections with dignity and the flames of honest patriotism enkindle our political leaders."
On Opposition leaders N Chandrababu Naidu and Mamata Banerjee supporting Couto, the BJP president said, "It is very obvious that our rivals will support such a statement. If somebody speaks about defeating us, it is natural that they will support him."
Another Union Minister Giriraj Singh tweeted, "The church receives its orders from Italy and the dictate (fatwa) for support to the pseudo secular comes from Pakistan. The day is not far when Hindus will realise this and will give a befitting reply to those (voices)."