Various forces trying to divide nation for political gains, says Venkaiah Naidu

Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said that various forces in the country are trying to divide the nation for their narrow political gains, thus slamming the Opposition directly.

“Unfortunately, various forces in the country are trying to divide the nation for their narrow political gains. Nation means all living creatures of this land, unless you respect each human being, you cannot be called a nationalist,” Naidu said, while simultaneously slamming the Opposition.

Naidu was addressing a gathering of media on the occasion of the book launch on Dr. Ambedkar’s life and experiences titled 'Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Vyakti Nahin Sankalp'. Naidu, along with President Ram Nath Kovind, launched the book at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.

The book was launched on Ambedkar Jayanti on Saturday.

Naidu said, “A lawyer, an Economist, a Teacher, a Philosopher, a Social visionary and a Statesman - Dr. Ambedkar was the symbol of excellence that every Indian was inspired by. Dr. Ambedkar's thoughts have left an indelible, lasting footprint on the sands of contemporary Indian history.”

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The vice president praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to run the country and said, “We are indeed fortunate that the country is being led by a visionary leader like Narendrabhai Modi who has not only been inspired by Dr. Ambedkar's grand vision but has made it a mission to integrate this vision into the overall governance of the country.”

On the 127^th birth anniversary of the Dalit leader on Saturday, Naidu paid tribute to Ambedkar’s statue set up in Parliament.

While PM Modi flagged off a train between Dalli Rajhara and Bhanupratapur, President Ram Nath Kovind took part in a function in Mhow on the occasion of the Dalit icon’s birth anniversary.