Former President Pranab Mukherjee finishes his speech by saying "Jai Hind, Jai Bharat". Asserts that religion and intolerance cannot define Indian nationalism. Names Chandragupta Maurya, emperor Ashoka, Kautilya, Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Any attempt at defining our nationhood in terms of dogma and identities or religion, region, hatred and intolerance will only lead to dilution of our identity: Dr Pranab Mukherjee at RSS's Tritiya Varsh event in #Nagpur pic.twitter.com/wHpClA0Cde— ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2018
President Pranab Mukherjee ends his speech at RSS event. Mentioned landmark events in the history and evolution of India and emphasized on pluralism and diversity in Indian society. He also said that Indian nationalism is beyond religion,language and race.
As Gandhi ji explained Indian nationalism was not exclusive nor aggressive nor destructive: Dr Pranab Mukherjee at RSS's Tritiya Varsh event in Nagpur pic.twitter.com/Zu7fscr97V— ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2018
The aim of the people should be to galvanise the people to fight poverty and promote peace, happiness and harmony. Happiness is fundamental to human experience of life. Thanks Mohan Bhagwat for his time and ends speech by saying "Jai Hind and Jai Bharat."
Everyday we see increased violence around us says Pranab Mukherjee in his RSS event address. Says we have lived long enough in pain, and must promote peace and happiness.
Pranab Mukherjee says democracy is not a gift to us but a sacred duty. It is the composite nature of India's society that makes it thrive and grow adds former President. "India's nationalism is not one religion, one language" says Pranab Mukherjee.
Pranab Mukherjee in his speech quoted Rabindranath Tagore, saying "No one knows, at whose beckoning.....and created an individual soul called Bharat." Says this nation and nationalism was not bound by religion, race or language. Quotes Mahatma Gandhi and first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's book Discovery of India.
Pranab Mukherjee in his speech quoted Rabindranath Tagore, saying "No one knows, at whose beckoning.....and created an individual soul called Bharat." Says this nation and nationalism was not bound by religion, race or language. Quotes Mahatma Gandhi and first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's book Discovery of India.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee gives a summary of India's history in his speech. Mentions Chandragupta Maurya, emperor Ashoka and narrates India's past touching upon the East India Company's arrival in India.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee says "we celebrate diversity in society." Quotes Dr. Radhakrishnan on diversity in Indian society. Names Chandragupta Maurya and emperor Ashok in his speech and enumerates their glorious achievements.
#WATCH Former President Dr Pranab Mukherjee speaking at RSS's Tritiya Varsh event, in Nagpur https://t.co/REkQkhbYLG— ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2018
Former President Pranab Mukherjee begins his speech at RSS event. Says let's begin with meaning of nation, nationalism and patriotism. Reads out dictionary meanings of the concepts.
Mumbai, June 7: Former President Pranab Mukherjee is set to address the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) concluding function of 'Tritiya Varsh Varg' (third-year course) in Nagpur today. The issue of the Congress leader attending the RSS event has been sending out currents in the political arena and has blown into a huge storm. While several Congress leaders have spoken out against the idea of Pranab Mukherjee-RSS bonhomie, the former president's daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee has also warned her father against attending the event.
As Mukherjee reached Nagpur on Wednesday to attend the RSS event today, rumours spread over the social media saying Sharmistha Mukherjee was going to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These rumours were dismissed by the Congress, following which, an upset Sharmistha tweeted, "Hope Pranab Mukherjee now realises from today's incident, how BJP dirty tricks dept operates. Even RSS wouldn’t believe that u r going 2 endorse its views in ur speech. But the speech will be forgotten, visuals will remain & those will be circulated with fake statements."
"By going 2 Nagpur, u r giving BJP/RSS full handle 2 plant false stories, spread falls rumours as 2day & making it somewhat believable. And this is just d beginning (sic)," she added.
She also dismissed rumours by tweeting, "In the mountains enjoying a beautiful sunset, & suddenly this news that I’m supposedly joining BJP hits like a torpedo! Can’t there be some peace & sanity in this world? I joined politics because I believe in the Congress. Wud rather leave politics than leave Congress (sic)."
On Wednesday, Pranab Mukherjee received a grand welcome by the RSS at the airport as he landed in Nagpur to attend the event. While the Congress has objected to the former president attending RSS's event, the BJP has called it "freedom" as given by the Constitution. BJP MP Subramanian Swamy said that he would "happily go to a Congress event to express his views if invited."
All eyes are on the event that is set to begin this evening. While Pranab Mukherjee will be the Chief Guest at the event, he will also be addressing the event. Stay with Latestly.com for Live updates on the event and the political storm around it.