We cannot accept violence against any religion: Modi

Odisha Channel Bureau New Delhi, Feb 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that his government will not allow any religious group, belonging to the majority or the minority, to incite hatred against others, overtly or covertly.“Mine will be a government that gives equal respect to all religions,” Modi said breaking his silence on the series of recent attacks on churches and a Christian school in the city.In his address at the national celebration of the Elevation to Sainthood of Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Mother Euphrasia at Vigyan Bhavan here, Modi appealed “to all religious groups to act with restraint, mutual respect, and tolerance in the true spirit of this ancient nation which is manifest in our Constitution and is in line with the Hague Declaration”.“My government will ensure that there is complete freedom of faith and that everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence,” he said.“My government will not allow any religious group, belonging to the majority or the minority, to incite hatred against others, overtly or covertly.Mine will be a government that gives equal respect to all religions,” Modi observed.Stating that India is the land of Buddha and Gandhi, the Prime Minister said that equal respect for all religions must be in the DNA of every Indian.“We cannot accept violence against any religion on any pretext and I strongly condemn such violence.My government will act strongly in this regard.”Stating that he had a vision of a Modern India and had embarked on a huge mission to convert that vision into reality, Modi said his mantra is development.“In simple terms it means food on every table, every child in school, a job for everybody and a house with toilet and electricity for every family.This will make India proud.We can achieve this through unity.Unity strengthens us.Division weakens us.I sincerely request all Indians, and all of you present here to support me in this huge task,” he added.He said he was delighted to participate in this function to celebrate the elevation to sainthood of two great saints of Kerala – Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Saint Euphresia.Let the elevation to sainthood of Saint Chavara and Saint Euphrasia and their noble deeds inspire us to maximize our inner strength, to use that strength for transforming society through selfless service, and to fulfill our collective vision of a developed and modern India, Modi said.