File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reiterated his commitment to protect religious freedom and said his government will not tolerate discrimination or violence against any community.
Religious freedom is a Constitutional right and it is "non-negotiable". "We stand for every one of the 1.25 billion Indians regardless of caste or creed and we will work for the progress of every one of them," he said during an interview to news agency United News of India.
Earlier this year, his government came under opposition fire following a series of religious conversions and attacks on churches, conducted allegedly by saffron groups.
The opposition also criticised the Prime Minister for failing to rein in the hardliners in his party who made derogatory comments about minority community. So did a report by a US government commission -- he Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Asked how he would rein in such elements, PM Modi today said, "Some unfortunate comments have been made, which were totally uncalled for. Our Constitution guarantees religious freedom to every citizen."
Regarding the opposition charges of his government being pro-corporate, he said if the Congress was pro-poor, "why does poverty still exist in India?"
He cited the various initiatives taken by his government for poverty eradication -insurance scheme, pension scheme, the use of technology and bank accounts to stop leakage of subsidy.
"They (the Congress) has been sustaining their politics only in the name of the poor. But poverty is still widespread in the country," he said.
PM Modi also pronounced himself "very satisfied" with the performance of the government in its first year.
"We have given a clean, transparent and efficient government," he said. "The findings of some surveys show people have largely appreciated the work... this gives us the confidence to move ahead."