Parliament has been converted into an arena of combat rather than debate, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Friday observing that institutions of democracy are under stress and "correctives must come from within".
In comments that come against the backdrop of a washed out Monsoon session of Parliament, he said, "if the institutions of democracy are under pressure, it is time for serious thinking by people and their parties".
Addressing the nation on the eve of 69th Independence Day, Mukherjee expressed concern over the apparent fractious politics and Parliament when he said, "The roots (of vibrant democracy) are deep but the leaves are beginning to wilt. It is time for renewal. If we do not act now, will our successors seven decades hence remember us with the respect and admiration we have for those who shaped the Indian dream in 1947? The answer may not be comfortable but the question has to be asked."
Asserting that the most precious gift of the Constitution is democracy, the President said, "Our instituitions are the infrastructure of this idealism. The finest inheritance needs constant care for preservation. Our institutions of democracy are under stress. The Parliament has been converted into an arena of combat rather than debate."
In an apparent reference to rising communal incidents, President Mukherjee, while calling for tolerance and patience, cautioned the country against vested interests bent on disturbing social harmony and eroding secularism which has been there for centuries.
The President also gave a tough message to Pakistan, though without naming the country, that they should not allow their territory to be used by forces inimical to India.
“In an age of instant communication through ever-improving technology, we must remain vigilant to ensure that the devious designs of a few never overcome the essential oneness of our people. For both government and people the rule of law is sacrosanct, but society is also protected by something greater than law: humanity,” he said in a televised address.
Reminding that shared destiny of Indian sub-continent was embedded in peace, friendship and cooperation, President Mukherjee called for strengthening connectivity, expanding institutional capacity and enhancing mutual trust to further regional cooperation. “As we make progress in advancing our interests globally, India is also engaged in pro-actively promoting goodwill and prosperity in our immediate neighbourhood. It is heartening that the long-pending land boundary issue with Bangladesh has been finally resolved,” he added.
But he equally warned that While India was offering friendship, it cannot stay blind to deliberate acts of provocation and a deteriorating security environment. “India is a target of vicious terrorist groups operating from across the borders. Except the language of violence and the cult of evil, these terrorists have no religion and adhere to no ideology. Our neighbours must ensure that their territory is not used by forces inimical to India. Our policy will remain one of zero tolerance for terrorism. We reject any attempt to use terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Infiltration into our territory and attempts to create mayhem will be dealt with a strong hand,” he said.
President Mukherjee during his speech quoted three iconic leaders Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr B R Ambedkar to convey need for unity, faith in humanity, duties of people and political parties to shape the destiny of the county.
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