Christians appreciate good governance day: Ravishankar Prasad

The government considers good governance as a means of development of all “Hindus, Christians and Muslims,” and Christians would appreciate the observance of December 25 as ‘good governance day’, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said.

Mr. Prasad, the first Minister to take a wide range of questions on the ongoing controversies generated by Hindutva groups’ conversion campaign, confrontational statements by Ministers and the BJP-led government’s commitment to secularism told Karan Thapar’s Nothing But the Truth programme that “people have trust in the government.

“The track record of our State governments, the track record of the Prime Minister as Gujarat Chief Minister… are factors that reassure every one,” Mr. Prasad said.

Asked whether he as a Minister could give an assurance to the minorities that the government did not approve of the activities of Sangh Parivar affiliated bodies, Mr. Prasad said: “We do not appreciate that… Mr. Modi’s approach is inclusive and assimilative.

“Good governance benefits everyone, Hindus, Christians and Muslims…”

Mr. Prasad, however, deflected a question on why Narendra Modi was not talking in parliament though he was eloquent outside. “The Prime Minister is accessible and available on platform, including parliament. He is communicating all the time.”

Asked why the Prime Minister was silent on the activities of the Hindutva groups, the Minister said: “Remedial measures have been taken, are being taken.”