Tag: Hindu nationalism

The president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Amit Shah, accused the archbishop of trying to divide people on the basis of religion. "I personally believe that no one should say things like this, for a religious person to make such comments cannot be accepted and appreciated," Shah said. A top party lawmaker, Subramanian Swamy, demanded the scrapping of diplomatic ties with the Vatican because of the archbishop's remarks. And your subscription makes it possible. Subscribe today for only $12.99 $7.99 per month Archbishop Anil Couto, in a May 8 letter sent to New Delhi's Catholic churches, urged members to pray for democracy and for marginalized people ahead of national elections next year. Christians make up just 2 percent of India's population, which is overwhelmingly Hindu but has a sizable Muslim minority. Church leaders normally avoid getting too deeply involved in politics. The archbishop's letter angered Hindu nationalists as it came at a time when Modi and his party are preparing for next year's national polls. Alphons, India's tourism minister and a BJP leader, said the archbishop's comments were unfair and that "godmen" should stay away from politics.