President Pranab Mukherjee’s address to the nation: Here’s how social media reacted

The President asked authorities and Institutions of State Power to adhere to the “Maryada”(dignity) in discharge of their duties as established in this ancient Indian ethos. (Source: File)

Against the backdrop of attacks on Dalits and minorities, President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said these incidents should be dealt with “firmly”, calling the violence against “weaker sections” that militate against the national ethos as “aberrations”. Coming down heavily on forces of intolerance, Mukherjee cautioned against “unmindful pursuit” of a divisive political agenda and polarising debates by groups and individuals, saying they lead to institutional “travesty” and constitutional “subversion”. The President also made it clear that democracy was not just about exercising choice to elect government periodically.

In his address to the nation on the eve of India’s 70th Independence Day-his fifth since assuming office, the President asked authorities and Institutions of State Power to adhere to the “Maryada”(dignity) in discharge of their duties as established in this ancient Indian ethos.

Here are some Twitter reactions:

All good words from #PranabMukherjee hoping @narendramodi echoes some of them tomorrow and pursues them

— Utkarsh Singh (@utkar7h) August 14, 2016

President #PranabMukherjee‘s speech was so on point, slamming attacks on minority and reiterating the message of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”

— Sarah Jacob (@JacobSarah24) August 14, 2016

#PranabMukherjee is a Great leader who was not given a chance to prove himself as a PM.

— SMohapatra (@mohapatrasachi1) August 14, 2016

#PranabMukherjee No comments on Presidential address. But Natraj Pencil was a real distraction. Why no media manager corrected it.

— saroj indian (@Saroj_ini) August 14, 2016

Hilarious listening to #PranabMukherjee ,
Modi’s accomplice in killing democracy talk about the Importance of Democracy.

— Über Kartoffel (@ZacharyBorthwic) August 14, 2016

(With agency inputs)