Head of Catholic Bishops' Conference meets Rajnath

Catholic Bishops' Conference of India president Cardinal Oswald Gracias today met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed with him various issues concerning the Christians in the country.

A home ministry official described the 20-minute meeting as a "courtesy call" by Gracias, who has recently took over as the president of the CBCI, the apex decision-making body of the Indian Catholic Church.

However, sources said, the Cardinal apprised the home minister about a number of issues which have been matter of concerns for the community.

The meeting came in the wake of Gracias' reported comments that there was "growing anxiety" among minority communities "because the government is not acting enough" to protect them.

He had also said there have been "more attempts" to polarise society in the last four years. The Narendra Modi government assumed office four years ago.

The Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto had also said "turbulent political atmosphere" has been prevailing in the country. The Archbishop had also appealed to launch a prayer campaign ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Reacting to Couto's comment, the home minister had said India does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion or sect, and such things will never be allowed in the country.