In Independence Day Eve Address, President Says 'Intolerance Is Betrayal of Democracy'

New Delhi: Intolerance and violence is betrayal of the letter and spirit of democracy, President Pranab Mukherjee said in his address to the nation ahead of Independence Day.

"We have to reject extremism in all its manifestations. We must defend our secular fabric with vigour... Intolerance and violence is a betrayal of democracy," the President said. (Read the President's full speech)

With the debate on communal violence on in Parliament for two days running, there was a gentle reminder for political parties as well: "Those who believe in the poison drip of inflammatory provocation do not understand India's values or even impulses...The nation has to be placed above parties and differences." (Also Read: Communal Violence Debate: Did it Backfire on the Congress?)

The recent voter turnout shows the vitality of our democracy, the President said. "The stage is now set for our economy to move to a high growth trajectory."

Reminding the new government of the challenges it is facing, he said the focus of India's policies should move from alleviation of poverty to elimination of poverty. "Poverty is not a mere statistic, it has a face. The poor cannot and will not wait for another generation. The benefits of economic development must percolate down to the poorest of poor," he added.

But if economy is the material part of development, education is the essential part of it, the President said. "By the end of the 12th Five Year Plan, we would have achieved 80 percent literacy."

Underlining the importance of creative thinking, which enables fast track development, he said, "Stagnant minds create immobile systems which become roadblocks to growth."

In an oblique reference to the judicial appointments bill, the President said, "With the passage of time and changes in the eco-system, distortions do appear making some institutions dysfunctional. When one institution does not function in the manner expected of it, phenomenon of overreach sets in".

The real solution lies in "reinventing and restoring the existing institutions" for good governance, which is critically dependent on the "rule of law, transparency and inclusiveness."