Narrow,sectarian ideologies will weaken democracy: PM in Independence Day speech

“There can be no place for narrow and sectarian ideologies in a modern,progressive and secular country. Such ideologies divide our society and weaken our democracy. We should prevent them from growing,” he said in his 10th consecutive speech on the Independence Day from the Red Fort.

In an apparent attack on BJP leader and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday warned that “narrow and sectarian ideologies” would “weaken” the democracy and the country and they should be prevented from growing.

Independence Day: Full text of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s speech

“There can be no place for narrow and sectarian ideologies in a modern,progressive and secular country. Such ideologies divide our society and weaken our democracy. We should prevent them from growing,” he said in his 10th consecutive speech on the Independence Day from the Red Fort.

In his 30-minute speech,Singh did not make any direct reference to Modi but apparently was referring to him only.

The Prime Minister said there was a “need to strengthen those traditions of our country which teach us to promote tolerance and respect for thought processes different from ours.”

“I would appeal to all political parties,all sections of our society and the public at large to work in this direction,” he said.

Singh said despite some worrisome communal incidents in 2012 and this year,”the last 9 years have been good for communal harmony”.

The Prime Minister said there was a “need to strengthen those traditions of our country which teach us to promote tolerance and respect for thought processes different from ours.”

“I would appeal to all political parties,all sections of our society and the public at large to work in this direction,” he said.

Singh said despite some worrisome communal incidents in 2012 and this year,”the last 9 years have been good for communal harmony”.