Barack Obama has once again spoken out against violence being perpetrated on various religions in India in the past few years.
"Michelle and I returned from India - an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity - but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs - acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation”, said Obama.
Earlier, In a US-style Town Hall address in New Delhi on January 27, the last day of his India trip, Obama had made a strong pitch for religious tolerance, cautioning that India will succeed so long as it was not "splintered along the lines of religious faith".
Why did Obama once again raise the issue of religious freedom in India? Because India has recently refused a visa to a couple of Bishops from the Vatican to attend a meeting in India.
The Vatican is allegedly one of the largest supporters of the conversion programmes in India. What has been the violence perpetrated against any religions in India in the last few years?
Barring the Muslims who have been at loggerheads with the Hindus for centuries, and who are always the first to initiate any riots, there has never been any friction in India between Hindus and followers of other religions.
Is the US not responsible for destroying Iraq and Afghanistan, and in the process creating a mess that has led to the emergence of terrorist organizations such as ISIS? Does not the US turn a blind eye to Pakistan which the whole world knows is a safe haven for terrorism?
Obama conveniently chooses to ignore his pile of trouble and instead focus on India that has honored him recently.
Clean up your mess first, Obama! Please don't insult the friendship and warmth of our Prime Minister and that of the people of India.
