Sir — This refers to the article, “Pranab triggers political football” (June 9). Pranab Mukerjee has done a great service to the country at a time when the political climate is full of hatred and intolerance, by first accepting the invitation from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and then talking like a statesman on its platform. His remarks about the concepts of nation, nationalism, patriotism, pluralism and inclusiveness have been meaningful and will go a long way in applying a balm on the wounds created by the fierce controversy related to their interpretation of the way India should be.
Another aspect was the mention of the Indian civilisation and its past glory, along with its age-old characteristic of assimilation of ideas and faiths. Unfortunately, any mention about it has been a taboo in the Indian political wisdom in the name of not hurting the sensibilities of minorities, in particular of the largest one. By doing so, we have created the concept of ‘we and they’ amongst the people born and bred in the country and in the process lost a portion of the country. Pranab Mukerjee also, in his wisdom, chose to skip this aspect of history in his address, keeping in mind, the fragility of the occasion.
In sum, Pranab Mukerjee has done a yeomen service to the nation by his very well-considered initiative. let us hope that a cordial political atmosphere is created as a result and helps in taking the country to great its deserved heights .