'Intolerance issue raised for discussion or obstruction?'

Criticising the opposition for walking out while government was replying to the debate in Lok Sabha over alleged intolerance, Union Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore today said the people should understand whether the issue has been raised for discussion or obstruction.
The minister of state for Information and Broadcasting stressed that the government is trying to reach out to all parties including Congress so that work can be done during the winter session "leaving aside personal egos".
Speaking to reporters, Rathore said that the debate on tolerance had gone for a month on channels and newspapers and the right conclusion for it would have happened through discussion in Parliament.

"In Parliament, the government agreed to a discussion and the opposition gave its version. But when it was the turn of the government to present its side of things, the opposition walked away.
"Now this is something for people to think and understand whether this talk about tolerance was for discussion or obstruction," he said.
While Home Minister Rajnath Singh was replying to the debate on alleged intolerance on December 1, opposition parties including Congress, TMC and Left parties walked out of Lok Sabha.

Rathore said the Prime Minister and senior ministers are "engaging with all political parties including Congress as to how we can rise above personal egos and work for the benefit of the country."

Earlier, at the event Rathore lauded the initiative and
said films inspire people and even he, while preparing for Olympics, would at times draw inspiration from these narratives.
Rathore, an ace shooter and Olympic medal winner, said films screened at such festivals should be made "not for sympathy but sensitisation".
Speaking at the event, film star Oberoi suggested that it would be preferable to use the term "persons with special abilities".
He also mentioned about a "special child" in his family, and their own concerns. He, however, added that the child is now blossoming and doing well. Oberoi also mentioned the case of another girl who had to struggle after losing a leg and he had supported her.

In his speech, Union Minister Gehlot said that Oberoi had made a valid suggestion and specially-abled persons is a more appropriate term. He, however, added that the present usage of the term 'persons with disabilities' is on the lines suggested by the United Nations.