President A P J Abdul Kalam on Tuesday said Jesuits had greatly contributed to the development of education in India.

"Being a Jesuit alumni myself, I am aware of the great contribution of Jesuit education not only in India, but around the world," the President said.

He was speaking at the inauguration of a global conference of the alumni of Jesuit institutions in Kolkata.

Kalam's statements came in the backdrop of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh's opposition to Christian missionaries and Jesuit priests.

RSS chief K S Sudarshan had accused Jesuits of 'gagging other religions' and said the President's participation in the conference would be 'unfortunate'.

The President said education and knowledge had no religion. He said religion should help in developing human personality. "The real aim of every religion should be propagation of morality and values," he said.

Around 600 delegates from 14 countries are participating in the four-day meet.