• QUESTION:
• As a Christian, how do you see the Prime Minister of India becoming the chief Pujari at the inaugural ceremony of the Ayodhya temple of Ram?

ANSWER:

India is a secular country whose Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion. Article 25 of the Constitution states that, subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of con-science and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion. In that sense, the Prime Minister, as an Indian citizen, has the right to profess and practise his religion. Like any citizen, if he chooses to practise his religion, it is his fundamental and constitutional right. This stands good for any elected MP or MLA or civil servant. India being the largest democracy and an ocean of many religions, it’s of para-mount importance to maintain communal and religious harmony, which is, unfortunately, sometimes attacked and broken scandalously. It is the fundamental obligation of this secular state to ensure for its citizens equal dignity and respect for all religions. However, if government’s resources and public offices are embezzled for such a religious event in a secular state, that cannot be justified.

Abp Kuriakose Bharanikulangara
Faridabad