President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said the country should guard itself against forces of violence, intolerance and unreason.
In remarks that come against the backdrop of debate on intolerance in the country, he said reverence for the past is one of the essential ingredients of nationalism.
"Our finest inheritance, the institutions of democracy, ensure to all citizens justice, equality, and gender and economic equity. When grim instances of violence hit at these established values which are at the core of our nationhood, it is time to take note. We must guard ourselves against the forces of violence, intolerance and unreason," he said in his address to the nation on the eve of 67th Republic Day.
The President said there will be occasional doubters and baiters who will continue to complain, to demand, to rebel.
"This too is a virtue of democracy. But let us also applaud what our democracy has achieved. With investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, health, education, science and technology, we are positioning ourselves well for achieving a higher growth rate which will in the next ten to fifteen years help us eliminate poverty," he said.
The President said January 26, 1950, when the Republic was born and Constitution was adopted, it saw the culmination of heroic struggle of an extraordinary generation of leaders who overcame colonialism to establish the world's largest democracy.
"They pulled together India's amazing diversity to build national unity, which has brought us so far. The enduring democratic institutions they established have given us the gift of continuity on the path of progress," he said.
In a delicate balancing act, he appeared to counsel the lawmakers and the government that it was their duty to ensure reforms and enactment of progressive legislations for which a spirit of accommodation and consensus building should be the preferred mode of decision making.
For revitalising the forces of growth, the President said there is need for reforms and progressive legislation.
"It is the bounden duty of the law makers to ensure that such legislation is enacted after due discussion and debate. A spirit of accommodation, cooperation and consensus-building should be the preferred mode of decision-making. Delays in decision-making and implementation can only harm the process of development," he said.
Mukherjee's remarks assume significance in the context of the deadlock over the Constitution amendment bill on the Goods and Services Tax following the Congress’ three main demands which the Government has refused to concede.
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