New Delhi: The core civilisational values of diversity, tolerance and plurality have kept India united for centuries and they cannot be wasted, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Wednesday. These comments come against the backdrop of the horrific Dadri lynching over rumours of beef-eating, which has led to nationwide outrage.
“I firmly believe we cannot allow the core values of our civilisation to be wasted... over the years (our) civilisation celebrated diversity, promoted and advocated tolerance, endurance and plurality... These core civilisation values keep us together over centuries. Many ancient civilisations have fallen. But despite aggression after aggression, long foreign rule, India’s civilisation has survived because of its core civilisational values and adherence to them,” the President said.
Mr Mukherjee was speaking at a Rashtrapati Bhavan function after home minister Rajnath Singh described the President as a “symbol of Indianness and nationalism”.
“Indian democracy is a marvel and we must celebrate, preserve and promote its strengths...,” he said.
