Cardinal Gracias cautions political parties on religious freedom

He asked them to ensure Constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom to each and every citizen.

Mumbai:  Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay has cautioned political parties not to exploit religion for political purposes.

He also asked them to ensure Constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom to all citizens, especially religious minorities throughout India.

“To discriminate against religious beliefs, or to discredit religious practice, is exclusion contrary to respect for fundamental human dignity that will eventually destabilize society by creating a climate of tension, intolerance, opposition, and suspicion not conducive to social peace and become detrimental to the progress of our beloved country," he said.

Cardinal Gracias, who is also the president of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, was speaking in reference to a recent report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

The US organization has added India to level 2 of its ranking among the countries where violations of religious freedom are growing and of serious concern.

“My immediate concern is that we must take steps to ensure that rights are not infringed upon in any way, that the minorities are safeguarded to practice, profess and propagate their faith freely,” the cardinal said.

Right to religious freedom is enshrined in Indian Constitution, he said. “Spirituality is an intrinsic part of Indian culture and life and it is urgent and essential that government bodies, the laws and practices uphold religious freedom,” he added.

The cardinal said that a guarantee of religious freedom supports other fundamental rights necessary to all human persons because it is grounded in the universal dignity of the human person, religious freedom encourages other related rights.

Source: Asianews