'Democracy Thrives On Listening, Arguing, Dissent': Pranab Mukherjee On Present Wave Of Protests

Former president Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said he believes that the present wave of largely peaceful protests that have "gripped" the country will enable the deepening of India's democratic roots. Democracy thrives on listening, deliberating, discussing, arguing and even dissent, said Pranab Mukherjee at the first Sukumar Sen memorial lecture organised by the Election Commission on Thursday.

Indian democracy has been tested time and again, he said, adding that consensus is the lifeblood of democracy. The former president also cautioned that while India's tryst with democracy is a story which needs to be told time and again, "complacency enables authoritarian tendencies to gain ground".

In an apparent reference to protests in parts of the country against the amended Citizenship Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Mukherjee said, "The last few months have witnessed people come out on the streets in large numbers, particularly the young, to voice their views on issues which in the opinion are important."

"Their assertion and belief in the Constitution of India is particularly heartening to see," he said in his address.

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According to a written copy of his speech quoted by new agency PTI, Pranab Mukherjee said, "I believe the present wave of largely peaceful protests that have gripped the country shall once again enable the further deepening of our democratic roots."

However, according to PTI, Mukherjee skipped these lines in his speech.