Democracy can survive only if there are regulations: Venkaiah Naidu

Venkaiah Naidu said that tolerance has been part of India's culture and added that history tells that India was invaded and ruled by others, but has never been an aggressor.

Mohali (Pb), September 22: Democracy can survive only if there are regulations in place, as freedom too comes with its own limitations, said Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Friday.

Naidu, who was in Mohali to inaugurate the 15th edition of the Indian School of Business (ISB) Leadership Summit 2017, said that no one can hurt anyone's feeling or create social tensions in the name of freedom of expression.

"Regulation is very much needed in a democracy, if democracy has to survive. Yes, freedom of expression of an individual is very much important, but at the same time unity of the nation is also important.

"Dissent is agreeable... but nowadays some sort of a debate is going on that you have freedom and you want to do this, you want to do that, but freedom also has some limitations," he cautioned.

Naidu, while giving his speech, also pointed towards young ISB students, who were part of the gathering, and said: "you know what fate you will meet if you go out this Mohali campus on your vehicle and follow no norms or rules, and move on the road the way you like".

"That is why some regulation is needed," he added.

Talking about 'secularism' and 'tolerance', Naidu said that it is embedded in Indian consciousness and "some incidents here or there cannot brand the entire society".

He said that tolerance has been part of India's culture and added that history tells that India was invaded and ruled by others, but has never been an aggressor.

"Also, secularism is strong in India not because of the Constitution... not because of this leader or that leader, it is (strong) because it is in the DNA of Indian people the Bharatiyas, it is there in everybody's blood," he added.

Naidu also said that India was a multi-lingual, multi- cultural and multi-plural society, whose strength was unity in diversity.

He said secularism has been embedded in the Indian consciousness since time immemorial, since the time of the Vedas and Puranas.

"Secularism has been embedded in the Indian consciousness since time immemorial...Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (whole world is like one family) and today we give slogan like 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'... 'Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu' (let everyone be happy)," he said.

The philosophy of the country is "no discrimination on the basis of religion, appeasement of none and justice for all".

"Our founding fathers dreamed of a democratic India in which all citizens will have justice -- social, economic and political. Second, liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship, equality of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the nation.

"Irrespective of caste, creed, sex, religion and region, India is one, we are one nation, one people and one country," he said.

According to the vice president, our ancient history and heritage could be a source of inspiration to the young.

"Our recent history can reveal the progress we have made and point us to a set of potential new directions," he said.

Union minister Jayant Sinha, Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore and Health Minister Brahm Mohindra, among others were also present at the event.

PTI