The Hindu : National : New Delhi disapproves of Pope's criticism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 24, 2006

National

National

New Delhi disapproves of Pope's criticism

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday told the Vatican that it disapproved of the Pope's criticism against banning conversions and his remarks of ``religious intolerance'' in the country.

Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma told the Rajya Sabha that the Charge d'affaires of the Vatican here was summoned by the External Affairs Ministry on Monday. It was conveyed to him in ``no uncertain terms that Government of India disapproved [of] Pope's statement'' and was displeased by it.

Pope Benedict XVI made the statement to the new Indian Ambassador to the Vatican, Amitava Tripathi, when he presented his credentials on May 18. ``There are disturbing signs of religious intolerance which have troubled some regions of the nation [India],'' the Pope was quoted as saying.

Mr. Sharma was responding to angry members of the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party led by Ravi Shanker Prasad, who during zero hour said the Pope's statement was ``grossly unwarranted and we protest and condemn it.''

Mr. Prasad criticised the UPA Government for maintaining ``silence'' on the issue.

Explaining the action taken by the Government, Mr. Sharma said it was pointed out to the Charge d'affaires that the Pope was not properly briefed on secularism and religious tolerance in India which few countries only could boast of. He assured the House that the Government's response was ``firm, appropriate and timely.''

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