Voicing concern over the recurring incidents of political violence in some parts of Kerala, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said violence had no place in the Constitution.
Inaugurating the ‘Festival on Democracy’, a conference organised to mark the conclusion of the year-long diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala legislative Assembly at State Capital Thiruvananthapuram, the President said that political parties and enlightened citizens should do their best to curb the trend of political violence.
“History of debate, mutual dignity and respect for another’s point of view has been a hallmark of the Kerala society. Nevertheless, there remains the paradox of political violence in Kerala, especially in some regions of the State,” the President said.
“This political violence is unfortunate and does little justice to the glorious traditions of the State and its people. It is important for all political groups and all enlightened citizens to do their utmost to curb the development of such tendencies,” Kovind said, adding that freedom to discuss, dissent and disagree should be welcomed in polity.
“But violence has no place in our Constitution. It would be appropriate if we could give some thought to this at the Festival on Democracy,” he said. He expressed the confidence that the discussions at the conference would provide actionable and practicable inputs for the progress of the legislative process in the country.
Kerala had always valued debates and its political traditions were the reflection of democracy, the President said. Congratulating the people of Kerala for their achievements as seen in the land reforms, Panchayati Raj, literacy and healthcare, he said it was education and thought that had attained importance in the State.
Speaking at the conference, State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described Kerala as a state that had made immense contributions to democracy in the country and that State had made achievements that the entire country could emulate. Governor P Sathasivam, Assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan and Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala attended at the programme.