We cannot discuss peace under a shower of bullets, says Pranab

In his customary address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day, President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday remarked on the peace process with Pakistan with a caveat that “we cannot discuss peace under a shower of bullets”.

In the light of the Pathankot terror attack and continuation of dialogue with Pakistan, the President said: “There will be disputes among nations; and, as is well-known, the closer we are to a neighbour, the higher the propensity for disputes. There is a civilised way to bridge disagreement; dialogue, ideally, should be a continual engagement. But we cannot discuss peace under a shower of bullets.”

He also commented on the need to guard against “forces of violence, intolerance and unreason”.

In remarks that came against the backdrop of the debate on intolerance, he said institutions of democracy should ensure justice and equality for all citizens.

“Our finest inheritance, the institutions of democracy, ensure to all citizens justice, equality, and gender and economic equity. When grim instances of violence hit at these established values which are at the core of our nationhood, it is time to take note. We must guard ourselves against the forces of violence, intolerance and unreason,” he said in his address.

Mukherjee said there will be “occasional doubters and baiters” who will continue to complain, to demand, to rebel. “This too is a virtue of democracy. But let us also applaud what our democracy has achieved. With investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, health, education, science and technology, we are positioning ourselves well for achieving a higher growth rate which will, in the next 10-15 years, help us eliminate poverty,” he said.

In an apparent message to lawmakers in the backdrop of the stalled GST Bill, the President said it is their duty to ensure reforms and enactment of progressive legislations for which a spirit of accommodation and consensus building should be the preferred mode of decision making.

“It is the bounden duty of the lawmakers to ensure that such legislation is enacted after due discussion and debate. A spirit of accommodation, cooperation and consensus-building should be the preferred mode of decision-making. Delays in decision-making and implementation can only harm the process of development,” he said.

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