Threats – Others

In July this year, the student wing of the RSS, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) with their protests managed to have the programme on ‘Dialogue on Freedom of Expression’ cancelled by Delhi University administration, where a magazine produced by Delhi University students was to have been formally launched.  In the growing insecurity amongst minority communities, Anil Couto, the Archbishop had put out a letter to all the churches in Delhi ‘to pray for the country’ ahead of the 2019 election referring to the “turbulent political atmosphere that threatens democracy and secularism”.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh has lashed out at the Archbishop of Delhi, Anil Couto for his letter to all the churches in Delhi calling for prayers ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Giriraj Singh said such a letter from the Archbishop was aimed at triggering a civil war in the country. “The church is trying to create a situation of civil war in the country. I will not take any step that disturbs the communal and social harmony prevailing in the country but if churches will make such an appeal to ensure that Prime Minister Narendra Modi government does not return to power in 2019, people from the other (Hindu) community will also start doing kirtans and puja to support him,” said Giriraj Singh.