New Delhi, Jan 25: President Ram Nath Kovind Thursday called for a “civic-minded” society where one can disagree with views even which had a historical context without mocking the other person’s dignity, comments that come in the backdrop of escalating row and violence over Bollywood film Padmaavat.
In his first Republic Day-eve address to the nation, the President also said that institutions should be “disciplined and morally upright”, adding they are always “more important” than the individuals in office. The institutions should also respect their “fraternal relationship” with other institutions, he added.
Touching on other issues, Kovind said it is our “sacred obligation” to eliminate the curse of poverty in the shortest possible time. “This is non-negotiable for the Republic.” “A civic-minded nation is built by civic-minded neighbourhoods, whether in our cities or our villages. Where we respect the next-door person’s space, privacy and rights. Where we do not inconvenience our neighbours – while celebrating a festival or while resorting to a protest or on any other occasion. “Where one can disagree with another viewpoint – or even with a historical context – without mocking a fellow citizen’s dignity and personal space. This is fraternity in action,” the President said.
The comments come at a time when several parts of the country have witnessed stiff opposition over Padmaavat with some fringe groups alleging that the film distorts their history and defames Rajput queen Padmaavati.
“A disciplined and morally upright nation is built by disciplined and morally upright institutions. Institutions that respect their fraternal relationship with other institutions. Institutions that maintain the integrity, discipline and limits of their functioning, without compromising on excellence. “Institutions that are always more important than the individuals located there. And institutions where the holders and members make every attempt to live up to the office they occupy as trustees of the people,” Kovind said.
In his speech, the President highlighted the struggle of millions of people led by Mahatma Gandhi in getting independence of the country which was followed by efforts by them in writing the Constitution for the country. “This was a period of constant striving – of dedication, determination and commitment to improving our country. And setting right the aberrations of our society,” he said and drew a parallel with today’s time saying, “today, we are at a similar juncture. We have achieved a lot as a nation, but much remains to be done. We need to work on this in the spirit of the generation that gave us our Republic.”
PTI