BJP uses PM speech to promote secular image

SHILLONG: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday made another effort to prove its pro-Christian image by sharing with media persons a February 2015 speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered at Vigyan Bhawan before a group of church leaders.
On February 17, 2015, Modi had said, “My government will ensure that there is complete freedom of faith. Everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of their choice without coercion or undue influence.”
The party also shared the response of Father Sebastian Vadakkumpadan, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Faridabad, on March 24 of the same year where he had said they were happy to get the opportunity to prepare a venue for the Prime Minister to make that historic speech and it was a turning point in secular India.
Infant mortality
Union Minister KJ Alphons on Friday criticised the state government for high infant mortality rate (IMR) in the state.