Religion cannot be made cause of conflict: Pranab

In his address to the nation on the eve of the 66th Republic Day, President says as wisdom of India always teaches “unity is strength, dominance is weakness”

President Pranab Mukherjee addresses the nation on the eve of the 66th Republic Day. Photo courtesy: Rashtrapathi Bhavan

Emphasising that the legislature reflects the will of the people, President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday called upon all stakeholders to reconcile their differences and build a consensus for enacting a law.

In his

>address to the nation , he reminded lawmakers that “enacting laws without discussion impacts the law-making role of Parliament and breaches the trust reposed in it by the people.”

The President said, “This is neither good for democracy nor for policies relating to those laws.”

Pointing out that after decades, the people voted to power a single party with a majority for a stable government, Mr. Mukherjee said it was up to those who have been elected to honour the trust. “It was a vote for clean, efficient, effective, gender-sensitive, transparent, accountable and citizen-friendly governance.”

In his customary address on the eve of the 66th Republic Day, the President reminded his compatriots that the legislature “is the platform where progressive legislation using civilised dialogue must create delivery mechanisms for realising the aspirations of the people.”

The President’s plain-speaking on a number of vital issues comes within days of his caution to the government against taking the ordinance route and expressing his concern over disruptions in Parliament.