Catholics get all brotherly with Hindus in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal Archdiocese in India's Madhya Pradesh state celebrated a major Hindu festival Aug. 7 as part of an initiative to foster harmony and fellowship among different religious communities.

Aug 18, 2017

BHOPAL, India: Bhopal Archdiocese in India's Madhya Pradesh state celebrated a major Hindu festival Aug. 7 as part of an initiative to foster harmony and fellowship among different religious communities.

Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal joined Sikh, Buddhist and Hindu leaders in celebrating Rakshabandhan (festival of siblings).

The festival celebrates the bond between siblings by sisters tying a sacred threat on the wrist of brothers, or men who they consider as brothers.

Several schoolgirls tied decorative threads on the writs of Archbishop Cornelio and other religious leaders during the special gathering the archdiocese organized in the state capital Bhopal.

"We are all sisters and brothers of one family, as we are the sons and daughters of one God. This festival goes beyond any religion and country to love and trust each other," the bishop said as he called on people not to commit acts that cause "distrust and sectarian divisions."

The Madhya Pradesh state government is led by the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party which has been accused by Christian leaders of turning a blind eye to radical Hindu groups intimidating religious minorities in their rush to build a Hindu-only India.--ucanews.com