Pranab Mukherjee in Nagpur For RSS Event Highlights: Pranab Mukherjee Ends His Speech, Says Religion and Intolerance Cannot Define Indian Nationalism

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.

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.

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.

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. 

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat says that the Tritiya Varsh event is an annual function where eminent personalities are invited every year. And hence the controversy over former President's participation is not right. Pranab Mukherjee's will address the gathering at RSS headquarters shortly.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat starts addressing the Tritiya Varsh event. Former President Pranab Mukherjee to begin his speech shortly.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee to address RSS function shortly. The senior Congressman's decision to visit and deliver a speech at the RSS event has created a storm in the Congress and opposition parties. Pranab Mukherjee is at RSS Headquarters in Nagpur for the RSS Tritiya Varsh event.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee reaches RSS venue. He is scheduled to speak at the event at 7pm. The former President is accompanied by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat at the venue.

Congress leaders Anand Sharma has tweeted, "The images of Pranab Da, veteran leader and ideologue at RSS Headquarters have anguished millions of Congress workers and all those who believed in pluralism, diversity and the foundational values of the Indian Republic. Dialogue can only be with those who are willing to listen, absorb and change. There is nothing to suggest that RSS has moved away from his core agenda as it seeks legitimacy."

Former President Pranab Mukherjee visited RSS founder KB Hedgewar's birthplace in Nagpur along with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. "Today I came here to pay my respect and homage to a great son of Mother India," he wrote in the visitor's book.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee visited RSS founder KB Hedgewar's birthplace in Nagpur along with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. "Today I came here to pay my respect and homage to a great son of Mother India," he wrote in the visitor's book. He's set to address the RSS event at 6:30 pm.

The Congress party has cited Pranab Mukherjee's 2010 anti-RSS resolution ahead of the former president's address at the Sangh event in Nagpur. Pranab had in 2010 said that the BJP and RSS were spreading hatred and violence. On December 19, 2010, Pranab had moved a political resolution that asked the then UPA government to probe links between terrorists and the RSS and its sister organisations. 

The RSS has published a blog on its website hitting back at the Congress and backing former president Pranab Mukherjee. Praising Pranab Mukherjee, the RSS, in its blog says, "Mukherjee is a mature and experienced politician who has spent decades in public life. He has well-evolved ideas on matters that are of social and national significance. The invitation has been extended to him with the view that this will be an invaluable opportunity to listen to his views. " It also says, "Exchange of views and ideas is intrinsic to the Bharatiya concept of dialogue."

Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister and Congress leader Virbhadra Singh has come out in support of former president Pranab Mukherjee. "I have full faith in Pranab Mukherjee. He won't speak anything that hurts the nation," Singh said.