Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said that the recent attacks on “weaker sections” as “aberrations,” and said such incidents should be dealt with firmly and cautioned against “unmindful pursuit” of a divisive political agenda and polarising debates by groups as well as individuals.
In his address to the nation on the eve of India's 70th Independence Day on Sunday, the President asked authorities and institutions of state to adhere to “maryada” (dignity) as established in ancient Indian ethos.
He said the collective wisdom of Indian society and polity gave him confidence that divisive forces would remain marginalised. “The great tree of liberty requires constant nourishment through the institutions of democracy,” Mukherjee said.
Stating that India would grow only when all of India grows, he said, “The excluded ones have to be included in the development process. The hurt and the alienated have to be brought back into the mainstream.”
Expressing concern over global terror activities and radicalisation, he said, “These forces, apart from killing innocent people in the name of religion, also threaten to disturb geopolitical divides, which could prove disastrous for world peace.” He said the world would have to fight them in one voice.