Modi pointedly retorts archbishop’s ’maligning’ nationalists

Mangalore Today News Network

Gujrat, Dec 05, 2017 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticized Archbishop Thomas Macwan of Gandhinagar for issuing pastoral letter to Catholics in Gujarat state to pray for the victory of "humane leaders" and to "save the country from nationalist forces".

 

Without naming  of the archbishop Modi said: "I am shocked that a religious person has issued a fatwa to kick out rashtra-premis (nationalists)," he said.

Speaking at the opening of a 400-bed multi-specialty hospital run by the Swaminarayan sect, Modi said: "Only patriots can work for the welfare of people without discriminating on grounds of religion, caste and language..." Modi recalled the Centre’s mission to rescue Christian priests, nurses and other Indians from strife-stricken countries.

He said the Indian government had also rescued the citizens of 80 other countries. Attacking Archbishop Macwan on Twitter without using his name, he said: "I was surprised to see a man associated with spirituality issue a diktat to remove nationalist forces from power...
"