'Social justice possible through democratic non-violence'

Union minister Jaipal Reddy refers to spate of 30 mn US citizens who cannot afford insurance coverage despite country being prosperous nation in world

Reposing faith in Indian democracy, Union minister for science and technology Jaipal Reddy said the country cannot move forward by disregarding parliamentary democracy.

Speaking at the four-day international conference on ‘Democracy, Socialism and Visions for the 21st Century’ that began here today, he  said individual liberty was crucial to socialist democracy.

According to him, individual liberty was in bad light due to capitalist tendencies and there is a need to build powerful democratic movements in the country. However, resorting to violence under the name of “social justice would breed fascism in society,” he said.

“In my view, individual liberty should be used to promote social justice, which is realised through democratic non-violence,” said Reddy.

CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said, “democracy is the life-blood of socialism.” Further, Karat said socialism in the 21st century should arrive more from practice. According to him, a multi-party system can prevent the distortion brought by a one-party rule.