Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church in Delhi, lit a candle and offered prayers on the occasion of Easter.
Speaking on PM Modi’s visit, Bishop Anil Khuto said, “This was the first time, a Prime Minister has ever visited this Church so it was a happy moment. He lit a candle and offered prayers. We also gave him a gift. He planted a sapling also.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church in Delhi.
He tweeted: “Today, on the very special occasion of Easter, I had the opportunity to visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Delhi. I also met spiritual leaders from the Christian community. Here are some glimpses.”
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/RCq9EqslfV
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2023
Some more pictures from the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Delhi on Easter.
May this day further happiness and harmony in society. pic.twitter.com/970eHYmrAn
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2023
Earlier in the day, Modi tweeted, “Happy Easter! May this special occasion deepen the spirit of harmony in our society. May it inspire people to serve society and help empower the downtrodden. We remember the pious thoughts of Lord Christ on this day.”
An official video showed the prime minister being welcomed at the church and him greeting priests and worshippers on Easter.
Prime Minister Modi later joined them as they offered prayers. He also planted a tree on the premises.
The prime minister’s rare visit to the church is imbued with political significance as well, as the ruling BJP has been actively wooing Christians.
Modi in his recent speeches has underlined the minority community’s growing connect with the BJP by citing the party’s poll successes in Goa and recently, in the two northeastern states of Nagaland and Meghalaya. These states have a large Christian population.
Modi has underscored his government’s commitment to the mottos of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ and development for all without any discrimination.
The BJP is looking for support from the community in Kerala, the state with the largest Christian population in the country, as it works to make new headway there after tasting little victory in previous elections.
The party’s leaders in the state also met with community leaders on Sunday.
Anil Antony, son of senior Kerala Congress leader A K Antony, a Christian, joined the BJP a few days back.