AMN /
President Pranab Mukherjee has once again expressed serious concern over growing Intolerance in the country. He stressed for the need of tolerance in society.jpg)
and warned people against intolerance.
He reminded countrymen that without tolerance, India’s civilisation could not have survived for five thousand years.
Speaking at a function in Birbhum district of West Bengal today, Mr Mukherjee expressed serious apprehensions over whether tolerance and acceptance of dissent are on the wane in the country.
Also a fortnight ago against the backdrop of Dadri lynching, the President made a strong appeal for maintaining the core civilization values of diversity,pointing out that tolerance and plurality have kept India united for centuries which cannot be wasted.
Today also President reminded that Indian civilization has always accepted dissent and differences. The President’s strong words on the need to maintain pluralism and dissent in the society come against the backdrop of widely reported hate incidents and rising intolerance. He said collective strength of the people must be harnessed to resist evil powers in society. He hoped that divisive forces will be eliminated. Mr Mukherjee said humanism and pluralism should not be abandoned.
The President reminded the audience of the teachings of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa ‘Jato Mat Tato Path’ “As there are a number of beliefs, there are a number of ways”. He said humanism and pluralism should not be abandoned under any circumstance. Assimilation through receiving is a characteristic of Indian society. Our collective strength must to be harnessed to resist evil powers in society.
The President said Indian civilization has survived for 5000 years because of its tolerance. It has always accepted dissent and differences. A large number of languages, 1600 dialects and 7 religions coexist in India. We have a Constitution that accommodates all these differences.
On the eve of the auspicious Durga Puja celebrations, the President greeted the people and expressed the hope that Mahamaya – the combination of all positive forces would eliminate the Asuras or divisive forces.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kanchan Sarkar, Editor of Nayaprajanma appreciated the role of Shri Pranab Mukherjee in furthering basic values of the nation. Shri Jogen Chowdhury, Member of Parliament and noted artist recalled his days in Rashtrapati Bhavan and elaborated on the activities of the present incumbent, particularly, in expanding the horizons of art and culture in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Thousands of people, including many eminent personalities and different cross sections of society attended the felicitation ceremony.
The President’s condemnation came on the day independent MLA from Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdul Rashid was targeted by Hindu Sena which threw ink on him.