New Delhi: An insightful address, is how Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described Pranab Mukherjee’s Independence Day eve speech in which the president took a stern view on the constant disruptions of parliament and also a veiled swipe at Pakistan.
“An insightful address by Rashtrapati ji on the eve of Independence Day. @RashtrapatiBhvn,” Modi tweeted.
Mukherjee, in his address, said parliament has been converted into an arena of combat rather than debate and that “if the institutions of democracy are under pressure, it is time for serious thinking by people and their parties”.
His comments come in the wake of the washed out monsoon session that ended on Thursday marked by constant opposition disruptions and sharp exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches.
Mukherjee, in veiled reference to Pakistan, said “India is a target of vicious terrorist groups operating from across the borders”.
He said “our neighbours” must ensure that their territory is not used by forces inimical to India.
“While we offer our hand willingly in friendship, we cannot stay blind to deliberate acts of provocation and a deteriorating security environment.
“We reject any attempt to use terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Infiltration into our territory and attempts to create mayhem will be dealt with a strong hand,” he said.
Mukherjee’s comments come against the backdrop of the Gurdaspur and Udhampur attacks by suspected Pakistani militants.