Around a month after Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto claimed in a letter that a “turbulent political atmosphere” in the country posed a threat to its constitutional principles, Union minister and BJP leader Harsh Vardhan met him on Friday as part of the ruling party’s “Sampark for Samarthan” initiative.
“As part of the #SamparkForSamarthan program, I had the pleasure of calling upon His Grace the serving #Archbishop of the #RomanCatholicArchdiocese of Delhi Anil Joseph Thomas Couto. Briefed him on the achievements of the #ModiGovernment in last four years,” Vardhan tweeted.
In another tweet, the minister added: “His Grace #Archbishop #AnilJosephThomasCouto & I had an inspiring discussion on the importance of promoting inter-religious dialogue for global peace. I conveyed Hon’ble PM Shri Modi Ji’s good wishes to His Grace. #SamparkForSamarthan.”
In a letter to all parish priests and religious institutions in the Delhi archdiocese a few days before the May 12 Karnataka elections, Archbishop Anil Couto had written: “We are witnessing a turbulent political atmosphere which poses a threat to the democratic principles enshrined in our constitution and the secular fabric of our nation.”
The letter dated May 8 had created a lot of controversy, as it attracted criticism from various quarters who alleged that it was directed at the government led by the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Archbishop Couto had however defended his letter stating that it had nothing to do with the Modi government.
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The minister also met other eminent persons, including classical dancer Sonal Mansingh, literary personality Ashok Vajpayee, former chief justice R C Lahoti, and writer Ashok Chakradhar.
“As part of the #SamparkForSamarthan program, I had the pleasure of calling upon my long-time friend, the gracious & renowned classical dancer Ms @sonal_mansingh at her residence. Briefed her on the achievements of the #ModiGovernment in last 4 yrs.
“Under #SamparkSeSamarthan program, I met renowned former #ChiefJusticeOfIndia Shri #RCLahoti ji who has a rich experience of 40 years in field of law&justice. At his residence in Noida, I enjoyed talking to him &his family about achievements of the #Modi government in last 4 yrs,” the Minister tweeted.