City
Epaper

India needs no lesson on religious freedom: Vice President

By IANS | Updated: June 29, 2019 17:55 IST

Stating that religious freedom is a fundamental right granted under the Constitution of India, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said the country needs no "lessons" on this issue.

Open in App

"We do not need lessons from anybody. Some countries off late started giving us lectures forgetting what is happening back in their own countries," he said in an obvious reference to the recent report on International Religious Freedom published by the US State Department.

If at all one has to grade the countries, the most secular country in the world is India, he said in his address at the convocation of the Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology here.

Naidu said there may be isolated incidents but it was wrong to brand the whole country.

"There may be isolated incidents here and there. They have to be isolated, insulated, condemned and action has to be taken against those people rather than clubbing the entire country and branding the country as if things are going wrong," he said in apparent reference to incidents of mob lynching.

He said the motto of 'Sab ka sath sab ka vikas and vishwas' had its roots in core principles of Indian civilization. "We believe in inclusive India wherein every citizen has same entitlement irrespective of his or her religious beliefs. All through the ages, Indian philosophers, rulers and modern political leadership expounded and uphold principles of equality and tolerance. The world can be rest assured that India celebrates its religious diversity by upholding religious freedom. No other country matches India in respect of diversity and commitment to preserve such a colourful mosaic," he said.

Naidu, who began his speech with few Urdu words, exhorted graduating students to excel in their respective areas and serve the society and the motherland through their research.

He also stressed the need for getting information saying information with confirmation is more than ammunition.

Referring to social media, he said that one side it is positive, but on other side, there are its problems. "There is sensationalism. It is very dangerous. Social media has to accountable and responsible. Whatever news spread should not have ill-effects and create social tensions," he added.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: indianaiduUs State Department
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalIranian President Calls for Constructive Role of Brics to Halt West Asia Conflict During Talks With PM Modi

LifestyleEid 2026 Date: When Will Saudi Arabia, UAE and India Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr?

MaharashtraMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Unfurls 200-Foot National Flag at Nagpur’s Kasturchand Park

NationalAhmedabad Traffic Update for India vs New Zealand T20 World Cup Final: Check Road Closures and Alternate Routes Near Narendra Modi Stadium

AurangabadLocal industries feel heat of Global conflict

National Realted Stories

NationalYSR Congress complains to I&B Ministry against Telugu channel over defamatory content

NationalCongress slams RS Chairman for rejecting motion to remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar​

NationalAssam’s tea workers on ‘Bharat Darshan’ recall memorable time with PM Modi

NationalMadhya Pradesh: Encroachments around Bhopal's upper lake removed following NGT orders

NationalMissing 8-year-old found dead in Manipur; suspect arrested