President Pranab Mukherjee Saturday said democracy was a "sacred trust" for people in power and those who violate it commit sacrilege against the nation.
In his address on the eve of Republic Day, the president said democracy "had become our most precious guide towards peace and regeneration from the swamp of poverty" created by centuries of colonial rule.
He said fraternity, dignity of individual and unity of the nation were ideals that had become the lodestar of modern Indian state.
"For us, the democracy is not a gift, but the fundamental right of every citizen; for those in power democracy is a sacred trust. Those who violate this trust commit sacrilege against the nation," the president said.
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