President Ram Nath Kovind, delivering his first Republic Day-eve address to the nation on Thursday, called for a “civic-minded” society where one can disagree with views including those with a historical context without mocking another person’s dignity.
In the backdrop of the ongoing controversy over the film Padmaavat which had the Rajput community accusing the filmmaker of distorting history and showing them in poor light, President Kovind’s comments are significant. “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,” said the President.
“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,” he said.
Fraternal relationship
Another significant comment by the President was that institutions were more important individuals located there and that they should be “disciplined and morally upright.” He also asserted that the institutions should also respect their “fraternal relationship with other institutions.” “A disciplined and morally upright nation is built by disciplined and morally-upright institutions. Institutions that respect their fraternal relationship with other institutions.”
The President’s comments are significant as questions were raised about “institutional discipline” of judiciary after four sitting SC judges addressed a press conference against the Chief Justice of India recently.
(The Hindu)