New Delhi, Nov 16: President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said that disagreement should be expressed through debate and discussion without letting emotions “overrun reason”.
Observing that “sensitive minds” sometimes get disturbed
by some incidents in the society, he advocated a “balanced”
expression of concern over such events.
“Sensitive minds sometimes get disturbed by some incidents
in society. But, expression of concern over such events should
be balanced. Emotions should not overrun reason, and disagreement should be expressed through debate and discussion,” the President said addressing an event organized by the Press Council of India (PCI) on the occasion of National Press Day here.
“We must, as proud Indians, have confidence in the idea of India and the values and principles enshrined in our Constitution. India has always been able to self-correct whenever such a need has arisen,” he added while speaking on the topic ‘The impact and import of cartooning and caricatures as a medium of expression of opinion’.
He paid tributes to legendary cartoonists like RK Laxman and Rajinder Puri. He also referred to Jawaharlal Nehru and said he used to repeatedly tell cartoonist V Shankar to not spare him in his work.
The President said that freedom of the press in India forms part of the freedom of expression which is guaranteed by the Constitution as a fundamental right.
In a democracy, he said, various challenges will emerge from time to time and these should be addressed collectively.
