In democracy, person at helm must tolerate strongest criticism: Union minister Nitin Gadkari

PUNE: Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday said the real test of our democracy is for the person at the helm of affairs to tolerate the strongest opinion against him and introspect.

He urged thinkers, philosophers and writers to voice their opinions without fear.

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“At present, our country is facing a problem not about differences of opinion, but the lack of it. If thinkers, philosophers and writers feel that their views are in the interest of the country and society, they should voice them,” the minister added, citing the Constitution that gives everyone the freedom of expression.

He also said, “We are called the mother of democracy which stands on the four pillars of legislative, executive, judiciary, and media. Our Constitution specifies the rights and responsibilities of each. The same Constitution allows thinkers to voice their opinions in the national interest without any fear.”

Speaking in Marathi while addressing an event in Pune's MIT World Peace University on Friday, Gadkari said, “Lokshahichi saglyat mothi pariksha hi asel ki raja viruddha kitihi prakhar vichar mandle tari rajane te sahan kele pahije, tyavar chintan kele pahije.” (The biggest test of democracy is that the king is able to tolerate the strongest opinion against him and introspect.)

Must take path of social harmony if we want India to be 'Vishwaguru': Gadkari
We are called the mother of democracy, which stands on four pillars of legislature, executive, judiciary and media. Our Constitution specifies the rights and responsibilities of each. The same Constitution allows thinkers to voice their opinions in the national interest without fear, Gadkari said.

He said the country wouldn't progress with social inequality triggered by caste or religion. "Fundamental spirit of Gita, Quran, and Bible is the same. It is an individual's choice how to offer prayers to his or her God. Just as we have freedom of speech, we have freedom of religion."

Harking back to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said, "There cannot be a bigger example of a secular personality than Shivaji Maharaj. He never destroyed places of worship of other religions. If we want our nation to become 'Vishwaguru' (educator of the world), we should take the path of social harmony." Gadkari flagged social disparity as a worrisome trend in India and said people must realise that a person's stature does not depend on caste, language, religion or sex.