Dissent is the essence of democracy, but can’t speak against nation: M Venkaiah Naidu 

PANAJI: Dissent is the essence of democracy, but nobody can be allowed to speak against the nation, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said on Monday. He also stated that India cannot allow outsiders to interfere in the country’s internal affairs.

Speaking at the 32nd annual convocation function of the Goa University, Naidu further stated that corruption was eating into the vitals of democracy and that more steps were needed to be taken to combat the evil.

“Some people are discussing dissent is not allowed. Who said dissent is not there? Dissent is the essence of democracy. Dissent is okay; But not destruction or disintegration of the country. Nobody can be allowed to speak against the nation. That has to be understood by one and all,” Naidu said.

Commenting on the social evils of terrorism and corruption, Naidu said: “Terrorism is totally eradicated. Corruption is eating into the vitals of the system and democracy. Now steps are being taken, but many more steps need to be taken. Youth need to be on the forefront”.

The Vice President also called for equitable distribution of wealth in his address to students.

“We have to create wealth and then think about distribution... We have to ensure every child goes to school. We have to ensure everybody gets food. We have to ensure every section of the society gets a rightful opportunity to join public life,” Naidu said.

Referring to outsiders’ interference in the country’s internal affairs, Naidu said that to those who try to advise India on internal matters, the country should say “please take care of yourselves and we will take care of ourselves”.

“Because if you want to progress, you need to have peace. You cannot have any outside interference in India’s internal affairs. Some people are trying to give us lessons. But we are capable of solving our own problems, we should tell them,” Naidu said.

“We should tell them, thank you for your lessons, please take care of yourselves and we’ll take care of ourselves. And all of us together let us take care of the world,” the Vice President also said.

Naidu also said that India wants to peacefully co-exist with its neighbours, including Pakistan, without naming the country.

“We want to have peaceful co-existence with all including with our troubling neighbour, who is aiding, abetting, training, funding terror, day in and day out,” he said.

“Terror is the enemy of humanity. Let the world come together and take action against those nations who are aiding, funding, training terror,” he also said. (IANS)

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