A report by a rights commission has revealed that thirty-three people, including religious scholars, tribal elders and journalists have been assassinated in Afghanistan's Kandahar province over the last two weeks. After the Taliban forces took control of Spin Boldak, they conducted searches to identify residents who have worked for the local government or security forces.

Religious scholars, tribal elders, journalists assassinated in Afghanistan's Kandahar: Report

<p>The Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto has set off a firestorm with a letter saying the country's secular fabric is under threat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"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," Couto says in his letter.</p>

<p>"It is our hallowed practice to pray for our country and its political leaders all the time but all the more so when we approach the general elections. As we look forward towards 2019 when we will have new government let us begin a prayer campaign for our country from May 13," he adds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The letter has been sent to all of Delhi's churches along with a prayer. The letter says the prayer should be read out at Sunday mass.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Couto has also asked for fasting on Fridays.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The archbishop's secretary said prayer campaigns are conducted before every election. But that this one is being politicised.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Archbishop's letter is not political, neither it is against the Govt or against the honourable PM. Misinformation should not be spread. Its just an invitation for prayers, and such letters have been written in the past too: Father Robinson, Secretary to Archbishop of Delhi <a href="https://t.co/YTpCoKq8K0">pic.twitter.com/YTpCoKq8K0</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/998778800434446336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When a govt has finished its term & in elections a govt is elected, it is a new govt. Letter doesn't say a different govt, it says new govt. So, I don't see anything controversial with the term new govt: Father Nigel Barret, Spokesperson, Bombay Archdiocese. <a href="https://t.co/1teidyKd2u">pic.twitter.com/1teidyKd2u</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/998788421886754816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM is working towards inclusive growth without discriminating while breaking barriers of religion & castes.We can only ask them to think with progressive mindset: MA Naqvi, Minority Affairs Min on Archbishop's letter to priests asking to "pray for country" ahead of 2019 elections <a href="https://t.co/vYA58YsFro">pic.twitter.com/vYA58YsFro</a></p>
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<p>"May the ethos of true democracy envelop our elections with dignity and the flames of honest patriotism enkindle our political leaders. This is our cry, Heavenly Father, in these troubled times as we see the clouds eclipsing the light of truth, justice and freedom," said the prayer sent out with the archbishop's letter.&nbsp;</p>

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'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,' Anil Couto says in a letter sent out to all of Delhi's churches

The Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto has set off a firestorm with a letter saying the country's secular fabric is under threat. "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," Couto says in his letter. "It is our hallowed practice to pray for our country and its political leaders all the time but all the more so when we approach the general elections. As we look forward towards 2019 when we will have new government let us begin a prayer campaign for our country from May 13," he adds. The letter has been sent to all of Delhi's churches along with a prayer. The letter says the prayer should be read out at Sunday mass. Couto has also asked for fasting on Fridays. The archbishop's secretary said prayer campaigns are conducted before every election. But that this one is being politicised. The Archbishop's letter is not political, neither it is against the Govt or against the honourable PM. Misinformation should not be spread. Its just an invitation for prayers, and such letters have been written in the past too: Father Robinson, Secretary to Archbishop of Delhi pic.twitter.com/YTpCoKq8K0 — ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2018 × When a govt has finished its term & in elections a govt is elected, it is a new govt. Letter doesn't say a different govt, it says new govt. So, I don't see anything controversial with the term new govt: Father Nigel Barret, Spokesperson, Bombay Archdiocese. pic.twitter.com/1teidyKd2u — ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2018 × PM is working towards inclusive growth without discriminating while breaking barriers of religion & castes.We can only ask them to think with progressive mindset: MA Naqvi, Minority Affairs Min on Archbishop's letter to priests asking to "pray for country" ahead of 2019 elections pic.twitter.com/vYA58YsFro — ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2018 × "May the ethos of true democracy envelop our elections with dignity and the flames of honest patriotism enkindle our political leaders. This is our cry, Heavenly Father, in these troubled times as we see the clouds eclipsing the light of truth, justice and freedom," said the prayer sent out with the archbishop's letter.

India's secular fabric under threat: Archbishop of Delhi

<p>As expected, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-secular-fabric-under-threat-delhi-archbishop-138795">letter</a> by Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto has set off a firestorm of controversy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The letter, which was sent to all of Delhi's churches, had said India's secular fabric is under threat. The letter had also asked for prayers before the 2019 election.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh responded to the letter saying India was a country where minorities are safe, and that no one is allowed to discriminate on the basis of religion or caste.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I have not seen the letter, but I want to say India is one of those countries where minorities are safe and no one is allowed to discriminate on the basis of caste and religion," Singh said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Other reactions however were more forceful.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Minister of State for Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh said "every action has a reaction". Adding, "I won't take a step that disrupts communal harmony. But if church asks people to pray so that Modi government isn't formed, country will have to think that people from other religions will do 'kirtan pooja'."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the "PM is working towards inclusive growth without discriminating while breaking barriers of religion and castes."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We can only ask them to think with progressive mindset," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The archbishop's secretary, Father Robinson, meanwhile said that "the Archbishop's letter is not political, neither it is against the government or against the honourable PM. Misinformation should not be spread."&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that prayer campaigns have been called for earlier too. But that this one is being politicised.&nbsp;</p>


The letter, which was sent to all of Delhi's churches, had said India's secular fabric is under threat. The letter had also asked for a prayer campaign before the 2019 election

As expected, the letter by Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto has set off a firestorm of controversy. The letter, which was sent to all of Delhi's churches, had said India's secular fabric is under threat. The letter had also asked for prayers before the 2019 election. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh responded to the letter saying India was a country where minorities are safe, and that no one is allowed to discriminate on the basis of religion or caste. "I have not seen the letter, but I want to say India is one of those countries where minorities are safe and no one is allowed to discriminate on the basis of caste and religion," Singh said. Other reactions however were more forceful. Minister of State for Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh said "every action has a reaction". Adding, "I won't take a step that disrupts communal harmony. But if church asks people to pray so that Modi government isn't formed, country will have to think that people from other religions will do 'kirtan pooja'." Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the "PM is working towards inclusive growth without discriminating while breaking barriers of religion and castes." "We can only ask them to think with progressive mindset," he added. The archbishop's secretary, Father Robinson, meanwhile said that "the Archbishop's letter is not political, neither it is against the government or against the honourable PM. Misinformation should not be spread." He added that prayer campaigns have been called for earlier too. But that this one is being politicised.

India a country where minorities are safe: Rajnath Singh on archbishop's letter

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