Prez Mukherjee's exhortation on 'tolerance' should be heeded: Congress

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Tuesday said President Pranab Mukherjee's apprehension over rising intolerance in the country for the second time is an apex reflection of what every Indian feels and should be heeded by the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government.

"What the President has said is an apex reflection of what every true Indian feels. If this kind of exhortation, chastisation or warning from India's first citizen and one of the most matured figure in polity for decades is not heeded and is observed in the breach. I would pity this government and head of executive Government of India who is not able to control those who detract from basic, fundamental noble sentiments," Singhvi told ANI here.

Amidst a wave of rising intolerance in the country, President Pranab Mukherjee has expressed serious apprehensions for the second time whether tolerance and acceptance of dissent are on the wane in the country.

"As there are a number of beliefs, there are a number of ways. Indian civilisation has survived for 5000 years because of its tolerance. It has always accepted dissent and differences. A large number of languages, 1600 dialects and 7 religions coexist in India. We have a Constitution that accommodates all these differences," President said while addressing a gathering in Birbhum district of West Bengal.