At an event to celebrate the elevation of two Indians -- Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Mother Euphrasia -- to sainthood, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a secular pitch talking about religious freedom for all as a universal human right and condemning the recent attacks against churches.
Here are highlights from his speech:
1) Mother India gave birth to many religious and spiritual streams
2) The tradition of welcoming, respecting and honouring all faiths is as old as India itself
3) Principle of equal respect has been part of India’s ethos for thousands of years and that’s how it became integral to the Constitution of India
4) The principle of equal respect and treatment has been a part of India’s ethos. We believe there is truth in every religion
5) The world is increasingly witnessing divisions on the lines of religious differences. This has become a global concern.
6) We believe religion is personal choice of every citizen
7) My government will ensure complete freedom of faith and that everyone has undeniable rights to retain the religion of his or her choice
8) Our government will not allow any religious group belonging to majority or minority to incite violence overtly or covertly
9) India is a land of Buddha and Gandhi, equal respect for all religion should be in the DNA of every citizen
10) Equal respect for all religions must be in DNA of every Indian, we cannot accept violence against any religion on any pretext
