 "President Pranab Mukherjee departs on four day visit to China")
In his address to the nation on the eve of India's 70th Independence Day, his fifth since assuming office, President Pranab Mukherjee unequivocally criticised those who take the law into their hands to enforce religion or ideology.
Against the backdrop of attacks on Dalits and minorities, he said: “In these four years, I also saw with, some disquiet, forces of divisiveness and intolerance trying to raise their ugly head. Attacks on weaker sections that militate against our national ethos are aberrations that need to be dealt with firmly.”
He also flayed obstructionism by political and religious groups and said such actions take the sheen off all that India has achieved in 70 years. This was possibly a comment on the policy of Parliamentary obstruction followed by his own party, the Congress.
“The great tree of liberty requires constant nourishment through the institutions of democracy. Disruptions, obstructionism and unmindful pursuit of a divisive political agenda by groups and individuals lead to nothing but institutional travesty and Constitutional subversion. Polarising debates only deepen the fault lines in public discourse," he said.
Mukherjee said the Constitution has clearly defined the duties and responsibilities of every organ of the state. “It has established the ancient Indian ethos of Maryada (dignity) as far as Authorities and Institutions of State power are concerned. The spirit of the Constitution has to be upheld by adherence to this Maryada by the functionaries in the discharge of their duties,” he said.
Calling for a conscious effort for inclusive development, he said: “The excluded ones have to be included in the development process. The hurt and the alienated have to be brought back into the mainstream.”
Mukherjee said while ancient India had many achievements, modern India should celebrate. It would be wrong for the country to rest on its laurels or hark back to past glories. He praised Startup India and Stand Up India programmes for the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship they fostered.
He said attacks on women and children were a blot on India and the country could not be called a civilised society if these attacks persisted.
The President delivered only what could be interpreted as a gentle rap on the knuckles to Pakistan (which he did not name) for infiltration and other disruptions, emphasising that India had adopted a Neighbourhood First policy that it intended to stick to even when faced with provocation.
He also recalled all the attacks across the world by radical Islamist elements, including in Belgium, France, Kenya and Bangladesh, to warn that the world was facing a challenge of faith and India needed to protect itself. The President praised Parliament for unanimously passing the goods and services tax (GST) constitutional amendment Bill and said India, which had reported as much at eight per cent growth needed to build its economy on the back of a bountiful monsoon after two successive years of drought.
Mukherjee quoted the Upanishads for India’s continued prosperity and peace for all.
Against the backdrop of attacks on Dalits and minorities, he said: “In these four years, I also saw with, some disquiet, forces of divisiveness and intolerance trying to raise their ugly head. Attacks on weaker sections that militate against our national ethos are aberrations that need to be dealt with firmly.”
He also flayed obstructionism by political and religious groups and said such actions take the sheen off all that India has achieved in 70 years. This was possibly a comment on the policy of Parliamentary obstruction followed by his own party, the Congress.
“The great tree of liberty requires constant nourishment through the institutions of democracy. Disruptions, obstructionism and unmindful pursuit of a divisive political agenda by groups and individuals lead to nothing but institutional travesty and Constitutional subversion. Polarising debates only deepen the fault lines in public discourse," he said.
Mukherjee said the Constitution has clearly defined the duties and responsibilities of every organ of the state. “It has established the ancient Indian ethos of Maryada (dignity) as far as Authorities and Institutions of State power are concerned. The spirit of the Constitution has to be upheld by adherence to this Maryada by the functionaries in the discharge of their duties,” he said.
Calling for a conscious effort for inclusive development, he said: “The excluded ones have to be included in the development process. The hurt and the alienated have to be brought back into the mainstream.”
Mukherjee said while ancient India had many achievements, modern India should celebrate. It would be wrong for the country to rest on its laurels or hark back to past glories. He praised Startup India and Stand Up India programmes for the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship they fostered.
He said attacks on women and children were a blot on India and the country could not be called a civilised society if these attacks persisted.
The President delivered only what could be interpreted as a gentle rap on the knuckles to Pakistan (which he did not name) for infiltration and other disruptions, emphasising that India had adopted a Neighbourhood First policy that it intended to stick to even when faced with provocation.
He also recalled all the attacks across the world by radical Islamist elements, including in Belgium, France, Kenya and Bangladesh, to warn that the world was facing a challenge of faith and India needed to protect itself. The President praised Parliament for unanimously passing the goods and services tax (GST) constitutional amendment Bill and said India, which had reported as much at eight per cent growth needed to build its economy on the back of a bountiful monsoon after two successive years of drought.
Mukherjee quoted the Upanishads for India’s continued prosperity and peace for all.
