Must take path of social harmony: Gadkari
PUNE: The real test of democracy is whether the person at the helm of affairs is able to tolerate the strongest opinion against him and introspect, Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said Friday at a university event. He urged thinkers, philosophers and writers to voice their opinions without fear. “At present, our country is facing a problem not about differences of opinion, but the lack of it,” Gadkari said at an event citing Constitution guaranteeing freedom of expression to all.
Must take path of social harmony if we want India to be ‘Vishwaguru‘: Gadkari
We are called the mother of democracy, which stands on four pillars of legislature, executive, judiciary and media.Our Constitution specifies the rights and responsibilities of each. The same Constitution allows thinkers to voice their opinions in the national interest without fear, Gadkari said.
He said the country wouldn’t progress with social inequality triggered by caste or religion. “Fundamental spirit of Gita, Quran, and Bible is the same. It is an individual’s choice how to offer prayers to his or her God. Just as we have freedom of speech, we have freedom of religion.”
Harking back to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said, “There cannot be a bigger example of a secular personality than Shivaji Maharaj. He never destroyed places of worship of other religions. If we want our nation to become ‘Vishwaguru’ (educator of the world), we should take the path of social harmony.” Gadkari flagged social disparity as a worrisome trend in India and said people must realise that a person’s stature does not depend on caste, language, religion or sex.
Must take path of social harmony if we want India to be ‘Vishwaguru‘: Gadkari
We are called the mother of democracy, which stands on four pillars of legislature, executive, judiciary and media.Our Constitution specifies the rights and responsibilities of each. The same Constitution allows thinkers to voice their opinions in the national interest without fear, Gadkari said.
He said the country wouldn’t progress with social inequality triggered by caste or religion. “Fundamental spirit of Gita, Quran, and Bible is the same. It is an individual’s choice how to offer prayers to his or her God. Just as we have freedom of speech, we have freedom of religion.”
Harking back to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said, “There cannot be a bigger example of a secular personality than Shivaji Maharaj. He never destroyed places of worship of other religions. If we want our nation to become ‘Vishwaguru’ (educator of the world), we should take the path of social harmony.” Gadkari flagged social disparity as a worrisome trend in India and said people must realise that a person’s stature does not depend on caste, language, religion or sex.