In the backdrop of communal tensions over the lynching of a Muslim man in Dadri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon citizens to respect and celebrate India’s diversity and said “peace, harmony and unity” were the key to progress.
Invoking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ahead of his birth anniversary on October 31, Modi said the “mantra” of unity must consistently be the medium of “our thinking, behaviour and expression”.
“India is full of diversity. It has different sects, different religions, different languages and different castes. There are so many diversities in our India and this diversity is our beauty,” the PM said in his radio address, ‘Mann ki Baat’.
Recalling how the country had been observing Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary by organizing ‘Run for Unity’ for many years, the PM said, “In other words, the run for unity is the guarantee for run for progress”, urging people to pay tribute to Patel by carrying forward the “mantra” of unity. Modi said if this diversity was not there, “we would not have been able to feel proud.Therefore, diversity is the mantra of unity“.
His comments acquire significance in view of the rise in communal tensions in many parts of the country over beef ban and, lately , religious processions. It was, in fact, the second time that Modi broached the issue of communal harmony amid the surcharged atmosphere where he has been targeted for his silence on he mob killing in Dadri.
Modi had on October 8 used a rally in Nawada in Bihar to deliver a strong message. He had said, “In a democracy , everyone has the right to speak their mind.But Hindus must decide whether they want to fight Muslims or poverty .Muslims must decide whether they want to fight Hindus or poverty .“
Without mentioning the Dadri incident and the subsequent communal tension, the PM had in the same rally invoked President Pranab Mukherjee's statement which warned against letting India's core values of diversity and tolerance waste away . “The Rashtrapati has shown us the way . There is no bigger inspiration than him, let's follow his path,“ Modi had said.
Invoking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ahead of his birth anniversary on October 31, Modi said the “mantra” of unity must consistently be the medium of “our thinking, behaviour and expression”.
“India is full of diversity. It has different sects, different religions, different languages and different castes. There are so many diversities in our India and this diversity is our beauty,” the PM said in his radio address, ‘Mann ki Baat’.
Recalling how the country had been observing Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary by organizing ‘Run for Unity’ for many years, the PM said, “In other words, the run for unity is the guarantee for run for progress”, urging people to pay tribute to Patel by carrying forward the “mantra” of unity. Modi said if this diversity was not there, “we would not have been able to feel proud.Therefore, diversity is the mantra of unity“.
His comments acquire significance in view of the rise in communal tensions in many parts of the country over beef ban and, lately , religious processions. It was, in fact, the second time that Modi broached the issue of communal harmony amid the surcharged atmosphere where he has been targeted for his silence on he mob killing in Dadri.
Modi had on October 8 used a rally in Nawada in Bihar to deliver a strong message. He had said, “In a democracy , everyone has the right to speak their mind.But Hindus must decide whether they want to fight Muslims or poverty .Muslims must decide whether they want to fight Hindus or poverty .“
Without mentioning the Dadri incident and the subsequent communal tension, the PM had in the same rally invoked President Pranab Mukherjee's statement which warned against letting India's core values of diversity and tolerance waste away . “The Rashtrapati has shown us the way . There is no bigger inspiration than him, let's follow his path,“ Modi had said.
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