New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday urged people, particularly the youth, to remain non-violent when fighting for a cause and stressed on the need to “hold fast to constitutional methods” of achieving social and economic objectives.
His remarks ostensibly come in the backdrop of widespread protests against the new citizenship law, although he made no reference to them.
In his customary address to the nation on the eve of 71st Republic Day, Kovind cited Mahatma Gandhi’s gift of ‘ahimsa’ or non-violence.
“When fighting for a cause, people, particularly the youth, should not forget the gift of Ahimsa Gandhiji gave to humanity. Gandhiji’s talisman for deciding whether an act is right or wrong also applies to the functioning of our democracy.
Government and opposition both have important roles to play.
While giving expression to their political ideas, both must move forward in tandem to ensure that development of the country and welfare of its people are promoted consistently.”
News of police brutality and suppression in protests across India, especially in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka and in Delhi, where police is under control of the Centre had occupied front pages through the last few weeks.
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Stressing that both the government and the opposition have “important roles to play”, the president said “while giving expression to their political ideas both must move forward in tandem to ensure that development of the country and welfare of its people are promoted consistently”.
In his televised address, Kovind said Gandhi’s ideals remain relevant in the nation-building efforts.
“It should be part of our daily routine to introspect on Gandhiji’s message of truth and non-violence, which has become all the more necessary in our times.”
Kovind said though the Constitution gave rights to all the citizens of a free democratic nation, but also placed on responsibility to always adhere to the central tenets of the democracy – justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
“It becomes easier for us to follow these constitutional ideals, if we keep in mind the life and values of the Father of our Nation. By doing so, we will be adding a meaningful dimension to our celebrations of 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji,” he added.
Kovind concluded his speech by quoting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
“As our Republic Day is a celebration of our Constitution, let me conclude with the words of its chief architect, Babasaheb Ambedkar:
“If we wish to maintain democracy not merely in form, but also in fact, what must we do? The first thing in my judgment we must do is to hold fast to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives.”
These words have always lighted our path. These words will continue to show us the way ahead to new glories.”
The president devoted the rest of the speech to the government’s ‘nation-first’ principle, its efforts towards development in “Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh, the states in the North-East or islands in the Indian Ocean”, various welfare schemes, education and national security.
(With PTI inputs)