Political Climate Is As Much a Challenge As Climate Change: V-P

Dharmasthala: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar urged leaders to rise above partisan approach when it comes to development or national welfare.

Speaking at the inauguration of the ‘Sri Saanidhya’ queue complex at Sri Manjunatha Swamy Temple in Dharmasthala, he stressed the need for dialogue and expression as cornerstones of democracy.

“The political climate in the country is as much a challenge as climate change. We have to work to harmonise it. We cannot ignore our long-term gains and commitment to nationalism for short-term gains. The political temperature in the country needs to be moderated by rational minds. All our stance has to be dictated and pivoted firmly by one consideration, goodness of the nation,” he said.

Dhankar said a meaningful dialogue with a positive approach can bring about solutions to problems that are turning out to be very painful for society. He added that democracy has no meaning unless people are able to express and engage in dialogue.

The Vice-President further emphasized the role of parliamentarians in fostering dialogue.

"The most authenticated platform in democracy for dialogue emanates from the people. The people elect their representatives to parliament and legislatures. It is the bounden duty of public representatives to voice concerns of the people. They must offer solutions. They must work to realize the aspirations of the people. But if those who are obligated, constitutionally mandated to engage in dialogue but engage in disruption, then things go wrong," he said.

"Because there can be no vacuum in society. If parliamentarians and representatives of the people will not engage in their activity, the vacuum will be filled. People will agitate on streets. People go in chaotic mode because they have to find an expression of their problems. They have to look for the solutions. I, therefore, urge, to wake up. We are cliffhanging as a parliamentary institution. We are very close to eclipsing. We are getting into irrelevant mode. Time for the temples of democracy to be vibrant for expression of views, healthy dialogue, consensual approach that was reflected by the constituent assembly in evolution of our Constitution," he added.

Calling upon representatives and citizens alike, Dhankhar urged, "We are in the last quarter of the century for the celebration of our independence. We have set a target for our developed nation in 2047. It is no longer a dream. It is our object. It is achievable. But we all have to believe in our nation, in serving the nation, and rise above partisan approaches when it comes to the development of national welfare. I call upon the people, they have power of social media. I call upon youth, to generate pressure on your representatives. Audit your representatives because your watchdog positioning will account for the success of democracy. Once you do it, the representatives will shine and outshine in service of the nation."

The Vice President also stressed vigilance against forces attempting to destabilize India’s progress and institutions.

The Vice President also cautioned against forces attempting to destabilize India’s progress. “While India rises globally, inimical forces aim to tarnish our institutions and history. We must neutralise these forces with total command and that can be done when there is eternal vigilance. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom,” he stressed.

Condemning acts of lawlessness, Dhankhar called for strict action against those destroying public property.

“Imagine in a country like ours, people challenge law enforcing authorities. They challenge public order. They come to the streets if there is a court summons. Anyone who challenges law and order and public order must be held accountable,” he said.

He expressed unhappiness over public property being destroyed.

"These people, these nefarious elements must be dealt in an exemplary manner. They must be brought to law. Their cases must be fast-tracked. This country of 1.4 billion cannot suffer this kind of public nuisance, destruction of public property. The world is appreciating our trains. One after the other we are having trains and there are some people who stone it. They are rogue elements of society. They should not have our respect. They must be singled out, pinpointed, and strongly dealt with,” Dhankar added.

Dhankhar lamented increasing polarization and urged tolerance for differing viewpoints.

“The harmony of our society is eluding us. You may not agree with someone, but please hear him or her out. Declining to hear the other's point of view is arbitrary, inhuman because that point of view may be the right point of view,” he added.

He called upon corporates, Indian corporates, to come forward and generously contribute out of their CSR funds for development of infrastructure, for health, for education, infrastructure around such religious institutions because these religious institutions are beyond places of worship.

Dhankhar also defined VIP culture as an aberration.

“It is an incursion when viewed through the anvil of equality. It should have no place in society, much less in religious places. The very idea of VIP darshan militates against divinity. It should be dispensed with," he remarked. Calling for equality in religious institutions, he added, "Religious institutions are emblematic of equality since there is no individual higher before the Almighty, the God. We should re-instil the idea of equality in religious institutions. I hope this Dharmasthala, being led by a luminary of all times, will serve as an example of egalitarianism and let us shun for all times VIP culture," he added.