In his final address to the nation, outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday advocated freeing public discourse from violence – "physical as well as verbal" – and asserted that the country derived its strength from tolerance.
Stressing the need for “pluralism and tolerance” he said the capacity for compassion and empathy was the “true foundation” of the country’s civilisation.
"But everyday, we see increased violence around us. At the heart of this violence is darkness, fear and mistrust. We must free our public discourse from all forms of violence, physical as well as verbal," Mukherjee, who will demit office on Tuesday, said in his address.
He made it clear that only a non-violent society could ensure the participation of all sections of the people, especially the marginalised and the dispossessed, in the democratic process.
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