President Pranab Mukherjee said that there was no room for intolerance in India. He quoted Amartya Sen to prove his point. He has launched an attack on the intolerant fringe dominating political discourse both online and offline. The President has specifically referred to the University as a debating forum between clashing ideas. He spoke highly of the freedom of the academia. Furthermore, he has stood for the freedom of women, the assault on which goes against the spirit of India. It had reference to a shameful attack on a woman student in which a Union Minister was involved. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come out in full support of the President of India. He said that he embraced the President’s line and urged people to follow him. Later he expressed his gratitude to President Pranab Mukherjee for his guidance to the NDA government in the early years of trial. Rashtrapati Bhavan had held its head high through the tremors of demonetisation. In his New Year speech, President Mukherjee asked for succour to people.
Sectarianism pollutes the atmosphere of the country as some states go to the polls. The President has said that leaders should listen to people. They should learn to respect people’s demands. That should inspire a government which preaches unity based on the general will. Unilateral action will not do and dissent is the essence of democracy. Students at Universities should be taught how to think independently. Knowledge of students is the basis of the knowledge economy. The government must do what the Prime Minister says: listen to the President