On his final day in office, war over Ansari’s words
Overall, the very fact that Indianness of any citizen being questioned is a disturbing thought.
India’s next vice president Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday dismissed allegations of insecurity among Muslims as political propaganda, a day after his predecessor Hamid Ansari flagged a “growing unease” among the country’s minority community.
Though Naidu did not name anyone, his comments are being seen as a response to Ansari, who told a government-run TV channel on Thursday that insecurity was creeping in among Muslims in India and that there was a breakdown of Indian values.
“Some people are saying minorities are insecure. It is political propaganda. Compared to the entire world, minorities are more safe and secure in India and they get their due,” Naidu said.
Naidu’s stand left many sur- prised as it came a day ahead of his swearing in to the country’s second-highest constitutional position.
In his farewell speech on Thursday, the outgoing vice president reminded the government and opposition of their duties, quoting India’s first vice president Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: “Democracy can become a tyranny if opposition parties are not allowed to criticise government policies. The opposition also has no right to disrupt the House.”
In his parting interview to Rajya Sabha TV, Ansari had pointed out alleged failure of law enforcing agencies, seen as a reference to growing incidents of lynchings over cow smuggling.
Naidu, a former BJP president, cautioned against highlighting one community as it might result in adverse reaction from other communities.
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Compared to the entire world, minorities are more safe and secure in India