Party on damage control mode after candidate’s gaffe
SHILLONG: BJP state president Shibun Lyngdoh on Sunday painted a secular picture of the party in the State and the Centre.
In an apparent damage control tactic following a statement by the party’s candidate for the Sohiong seat that “Meghalaya is not a Christian state”, Lyngdoh said the party wishes to separate religion from politics.
According to Lyngdoh, the constitution of the party provides freedom of religion to individuals irrespective of community and creed.
“India is not a theocratic state (Hindu country) though Hindus are a dominant group and in this context, Meghalaya too cannot be referred to as Christian state though it is dominated by Christian believers”, Lyngdoh said.
He said though Hindus are a dominant group in India, the country embraces all groups, and it cannot be referred to as a Hindu country.
The matter of religion is not in the agenda of BJP, Lyngdoh asserted, while adding that the agenda of the party is to bring a corruption free-state and country and to accelerate development besides ensuring accountability of the leaders.
The cardinal principles of all religions are fairness and justice and the BJP has already incorporated this in its vision for India and its policy currently at work, Lyngdoh added.