Parliament, an arena of combat: President Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi: As politics came in the way of functioning of the biggest pillar of democracy, President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday delivered a blunt message to the political class, saying Parliament has been converted into an “arena of combat rather than debate” and calling for serious introspection.

The President’s comments come days after a bitter slugfest between the ruling NDA combine and the main Opposition Congress resulted in virtually no business being transacted during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Reacting to the President’s address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "an insightful address by Rashtrapatiji." The President said, "If the institutions of democracy are under pressure, it is time for serious thinking by people and their parties."

"On the fertile ground laid by our Constitution, India has blossomed into a vibrant democracy. The roots are deep but the leaves are beginning to wilt. It is time for renewal," Mr Mukherjee said in his Independence Day-eve address to the nation.

Seeking an immediate course-correction by the political class, Mr Mukherjee said, "If we do not act now, will our successors seven decades hence remember us with the respect and admiration we have for those who shaped the Indian dream in 1947? The answer may not be comfortable but the question has to be asked."

Quoting Dr B.R. Ambedkar, chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution, he said, "The factors on which the working of the organs of the state depends are the people and the political parties they will set up as their instruments to carry out their wishes and their politics. Who can say how the people of India and their parties will behave?"

Asserting that the most precious gift of the Constitution is democracy, the President said, "Our institutions are the infrastructure of this idealism. The finest inheritance needs constant care for preservation. Our institutions of democracy are under stress. The Parliament has been converted into an arena of combat rather than debate."

Mr Mukherjee stressed on social harmony and religious tolerance, saying, "Vested interests chip away at social harmony in an attempt to erode many centuries of secularism. In an age of instant communication through ever-improving technology, we must remain vigilant to ensure that the devious designs of a few never overcome the essential oneness of our people."

On the scourge of terrorism, the President emphasised India’s zero-terrorism approach and sent a direct message to Pakistan, saying "our neighbours" must ensure that their territory is not used by forces inimical to India. Rejecting any attempt to use terrorism as an instrument of state policy, he said, "Infiltration into our territory and attempts to create mayhem will be dealt with a strong hand."

The President specially commended two villagers of Udhampur area "who boldly detained a hardened terrorist, ignoring the risk to their own lives" while paying homage to the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice defending the country. Mr Mukherjee’s comments come at a time when two terror attacks have taken place in the country even as Pakistan is indulging in repeated infiltration bids.

"While we offer our hand willingly in friendship, we cannot stay blind to deliberate acts of provocation and a deteriorating security environment. India is a target of vicious terrorist groups operating from across the borders," he said.

On the country’s economic growth, the President said it was heartening that despite a dip in the last one decade the growth rate had recovered to 7.3 per cent in 2014-15, but, he said, the benefits of growth must reach the poorest of the poor much before they land in the bank accounts of the richest of the rich.

"We are an inclusive democracy, and an inclusive economy; there is place for everyone in the hierarchy of wealth. But the first call goes to those who suffer on the brink of deprivation. Our policies must be geared to meet the ‘Zero Hunger’ challenge in a foreseeable future," he said.

"Our economy promises much hope for the future. The new chapters of the ‘India Story’ are waiting to be written. Economic reforms is a work-in-progress," the President said. Dwelling on the role of educational institutions, Mr Mukherjee said a nation that forgets the idealism of its past loses something vital from its future. "Our educational institutions multiply as the aspirations of generations continue to exceed supply," he said. "But what has happened to quality, from base to apex? We recall the guru-shishya parampara (teacher-disciple tradition) with legitimate pride; why then have we abandoned the care, devotion and commitment that is at the heart of this relationship? ... Students, teachers and authorities must pause and introspect," he said.

Raising concerns over environmental degradation, Mr Mukherjee said the symbiotic relationship between man and nature has to be preserved. "A generous nature when violated can turn into a destructive force leading to calamities resulting in huge loss of life and property. Even as I speak, large parts of the nation are barely recovering from floods. We need immediate relief for the afflicted as well as long-term solutions for the management of both water deficiency and excess," he said.

Maintaining that India  is also engaged in "pro-actively promoting goodwill and prosperity in its immediate neighbourhood," President Mukherjee noted it was heartening that the land boundary issue with Bangladesh had been finally resolved.