Hamid Ansari in farewell speech: Democracy can become ‘tyranny’ if opposition not allowed to criticise govt

Vice President Hamid Ansari on Thursday successfully completed his 10-year long term as Rajya Sabha Chairman. Members of Parliament including Prime Minister Narendra Modi showered lavish praises on Ansari for upholding constitutional norms.

During his farewell speech, Vice President Ansari alerted Modi govt that if opposition voices against Centre’s policies are not allowed, the democracy will become a “tyranny.”

“Democracy can become a tyranny if opposition parties are not allowed to criticise government policies. The opposition also has no right to disrupt the House,” Hamid Ansari said on his last day as Rajya Sabha Chairman.

Earlier, during an interview with Rajya Sabha TV Hamid Ansari had said there is a feeling of unease in Muslim community after recent incidents of lynching by cow vigilantes.

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"Yes, it is a correct assessment. From all, I hear from different quarters, the country. I heard the same thing in Bengaluru, I have heard from other parts of the country, I hear more about in north India. There is a feeling of unease, a sense of insecurity is creeping in," Ansari said when asked if the recent incidents of lynching by cow vigilantes were making the Muslim community apprehensive.

Hamid Ansari served as India’s vice president for 10 years from 2007 to 2017. After Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Ansari was the first person to be re-elected as India’s Vice President.

He was succeeded by BJP leader and former Rural Development minister Venkaiah Naidu. Naidu will take oath on Friday.