2 weeks Ago By Anurag Bende
Pune: Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday said that the real test of our democracy is for the person at the helm of affairs to tolerate the strongest opinion against him and introspect. He urged thinkers, philosophers and writers to voice their opinions without fear. "At present, our country is facing a problem not about differences of opinion, but the lack of it.
If thinkers, philosophers and writers feel that their views are in the interest of the country and society, they should voice them," the minister added, citing the Constitution which gives everyone the freedom of expression . He also said, "We are called the mother of democracy which stands on the four pillars of legislative, executive, judiciary, and media. Our Constitution specifies the rights and responsibilities of each.
The same Constitution allows thinkers to voice their opinions in the national interest without any fear." Speaking in Marathi while addressing an event in Pune's MIT World Peace University on Friday, Gadkari said, "Lokshahichi saglyat mothi pariksha hi asel ki raja viruddha kitihi prakhar vichar mandle tari rajane te sahan kele pahije, tyavar chintan kele pahije." (The biggest test of democracy is that the king is able to tolerate the strongest opinion against him and introspect.
) He added that there could be a difference of opinion but it should not lead to personal differences. "In a democracy, our opinions may differ but we still have to respect another's opinion. Everyone is expected to follow it in democracy," he said.
Gadkari batted for unity in diversity and said that the country will not progress unless we get over inequality in society. He said, "The fundamental spirit of the Gita, the Quran, and the Bible are the same. It is an individual's choice how to offer prayers to his or her god.
Just as we have freedom of speech, we have freedom of religion. We must rise above all such differences and must work together to eradicate social inequality ." The minister cited Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and said, "There cannot be a bigger example of a secular personality than Shivaji Maharaj.
He never destroyed places of worship of other religions. If we want our nation to become 'Vishwaguru' (educator of the world), we should take the path of social harmony." He said social disparity in the country is worrisome and people must realise that a person's stature does not depend on caste, language, religion, or sex.
"His ability determines it. Till we eradicate untouchability and differences between the so-called higher-lower class, we cannot say that we have progressed," he said..
