New Delhi: No injustice will be allowed to happen to Christians in the country, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday as he asserted that Indian tradition and culture are similar to Christianity.
Addressing a Christmas celebration organised by Catholic Bishops Conference of India, the Home Minister asked the community leaders to contact him directly if any injustice is done to them anywhere in the country.
"I want to assure all Bishops and Cardinals that if you face any problem, contact me directly. I will not allow any injustice to happen to you," he said in presence of community members, several lawmakers and diplomats.
Singh said he, the NDA government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will always stand by the side of Christians of the country and no one should have any doubt about that.
Referring to certain attacks on churches and Christian institutions just before the last Delhi Assembly polls, Singh said he was deeply hurt and had instructed the police to ensure that such incidents were stopped immediately.
"You may call it as a conspiracy or coincidence, but all such incidents had happened before the Delhi elections and stopped after the polls. I don't know why did it happen," he said.
The Home Minister said the attacks on churches in Delhi and other places in the recent past were an "aberration".
Singh said India is an accommodative and inclusive country for ages and accommodation and inclusiveness are the tradition of India.
"Christianity too has the similar character. Indian tradition and culture are similar to Christianity," he said. The Home Minister said India hosts one of the oldest churches in the world -- in Kerala which was set up in the 1st AD.
Terming Christmas as a pious festival, the Home Minister said the biggest teachings of Jesus Christ was the justice and humanity to all. "Even if someone commits atrocity to you, you do justice to them," he said.
Singh said his religion teaches offering love and respect to everyone. "Even though method of prayers are different but the message is same," he said.
The Home Minister said India has always welcomed all religions with open arms. Christianity arrived in India almost the same time when it spread to Europe, he said.
Singh conveyed the greetings of the Prime Minister and assured the religious leaders that the government is fully committed to maintain peace and communal harmony in the country.
