Former President Pranab Mukherjee today underscored the significance of dissent in a democracy, and mentioned the peaceable protests sweeping the nation will rejuvenate democracy. ” Consensus is the lifeblood of democracy. Democracy thrives on listening deliberating, discussing, arguing, even dissenting… Complacency enables authoritarian tendencies to gain ground,” information company Press Trust of India quoted him as saying.
Though the previous President didn’t point out the contentious citizenship legislation or the National Register of Citizens in opposition to which an enormous part of scholars and the civil society are up in arms, he mentioned it was “heartening” to see the younger assert religion within the Constitution.
Speaking at a perform in Delhi today, “Citizen Mukherjee” as the previous President has dubbed himself, mentioned, “Indian democracy has been tested time and again,” reported PTI.
“The last few months have witnessed people come out on the streets in large numbers, particularly the young, to voice out their views on issues which, in their opinion, are important,” PTI quoted him as saying. “Their assertion and belief in the Constitution of India are particularly heartening to see,” he mentioned.
His phrases come amid the criticism the federal government has been going through following the police crackdown on the protesting college students of Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia. The opposition events, together with the Congress, have accused the federal government of ignoring college students, who’re the nation’s future and taking a tough line with them.
Union minister Amit Shah has repeatedly made it clear that the Citizenship Amendment Act is not going to be withdrawn, “no matter who protests”.
The 83-year-old former president, who handed the nation’s highest post to President Ram Nath Kovind in July 2017, has by no means shied away from making his views identified on contentious points.
Several instances throughout his presidency, he had drawn the nation’s consideration to the rising situations of violence, highlighting have to respect the core values of the nation and the democratic establishments. He had weighed in on the controversy on free speech and nationalism and expressed reservations when an ordinance or govt order was dropped at him 4 instances.
