By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
NEW DELHI (Worthy News)-- Before Barack Obama visits India, an online petition has urged the president to ask India's Narendra Modi to "preserve and promote the religious freedom of minorities," according to The American Bazaaar.
"We urge President Obama to convey to Mr. Modi, our concerns about escalating violence against India's Christian minority ... A few Hindu leaders of his coalition have also provoked concerns among many Indians, through their directives to Heads of Christian Schools to install Hindu idols, forbid students to address Catholic Cleric-teachers as 'Fathers' ...
"Mr. Modi recently ordered the renaming of Christmas holiday as Good Governance Day. Mr. Modi remained silent whenever these issues were raised in Parliament, as he did during the 2002 Godhra riots. We urge you to request Mr. Modi to condemn religious intolerance and break his silence on this critical issue."
Obama will attend India's Republic Day celebrations on Jan. 26.