Amid growing mob violence and lynchings, President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday asserted that violence had no place in a civilised society and asked citizens not to be distracted by “contentious issues and extraneous debates”.
Kovind said India was now at the cusp of achieving many long-awaited goals, such as universal access to electricity, eliminating open defecation, homelessness and poverty, among others.
Addressing the nation on the eve of India’s 72nd Independence Day, the President recalled Gandhi’s mantra that the power of ahimsa (non-violence) was greater than the power of hinsa (violence).
“The power to stay your hand is far greater than the power to strike with your hand. Hinsa has no place in the society,” the President said.
Universal access to electricity and elimination of open defecation, homelessness and extreme poverty is achievable and attainable, the President said in his customary speech on the eve of the 72nd Independence Day.
The presidential advice comes amid a shrill war of words between the opposition and the ruling NDA government ahead of next year’s general elections over issues ranging from the Rafale fighter jet deal, the citizens’ list in Assam and concern over crime against women
