Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said that India is the most secular country in the world, despite that, the western media belittle the Indian government on issues of secularism and free speech.
He added that they cannot digest the fact that India is on the rise. Some of them suffer from indigestion.
"There is a trend in Western media to run down the Indian government on issues of secularism, free speech. They cannot digest the fact that India is on the rise. Some of them suffering from indigestion...India is the most secular country in the world," Mr Naidu said while speaking at a book launch event in Delhi.
"There are instances of individuals here and there... but as a whole, we practice secularism because it's in the blood, nerves and veins of Indians not because of this government or that government...Respecting all religions is our age-old practice," he added.
"The functioning of democracy in the country conforms to the constitutional principles of ensuring equal rights and justice for all citizens," he added.
Mr Naidu was speaking at the event of the launching of English and Hindi versions of books titled "Democracy, Politics and Governance" authored by A. Surya Prakash, Vice Chairman of Executive Council of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.
Mr Naidu complimented him for coming out with effective evidence-based counter-narratives in the backdrop of recent adverse reports on its functioning by some western and American agencies.
Earlier on Friday, on the occasion of Constitution Day, Mr Naidu asserted that the functioning of democracy in the country conforms to the Constitutional principles of ensuring equal rights and justice for all citizens and it needs no validation from any external agencies.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
People Like Venkaiah Naidu "Make Our Nation Better, More Vibrant": PM Modi "Must Remember Darkness Of Emergency": Venkaiah Naidu On 17 Months In Jail Ex Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, Actor Allu Arjun Among Early Voters In Telangana Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources Video: Woman Tries To Jump Off Mumbai's Atal Setu, Saved By Driver, Cops Private Jets, Luxury Cars: Lavish Life Of "Ketamine Queen" Jasveen Sangha Watch: Turkish MPs Fight During Debate On Jailed Opposition Leader "Shoot Me Up With...": What Matthew Perry Told Assistant Hours Before Death Private Jets, Luxury Cars: Lavish Life Of "Ketamine Queen" Jasveen Sangha Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.