Temples of democracy sacrileged by anti-national narratives: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 7

Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice-President of India, today expressed his concern at the legislatures, the ‘temples of democracy’, being ‘sacrileged by anti-national narratives’.

Terming this a ‘disturbing dilution of our nationalism and patriotic spirit’, the Vice-President called upon the youth, as key stakeholders in democracy and governance, to ‘neutralise such nefarious tendencies’.

“The anti-national narratives are being set at the cost of our nationalism. Such pernicious elements are a recipe for chaos. If someone has the power to neutralise anti-national narratives, it is the youth of this country, it is the students,” said Dhankar.

“There should be no politics when it comes to development. But when it comes to country’s interest, when it comes to development, when it comes to growth, there must be bipartisan stance. This ecosystem can be generated by discussions in the universities,” he added.

Addressing the 71st convocation of the PU today, the Vice-President, who is the ex-officio Chancellor of the university, noted that ‘under first woman Vice-Chancellor in its history of over 140 years, the PU is on a path of progress’.

“For too long, the system and governance remained in our country plagued by corruption, nepotism, favoritism and patronage. Corruption practitioners are now facing the heat. Even high and mighty are being held accountable to law,” he said.

Drawing attention of students to emerging vistas, including the domain of disruptive technology, the Vice-President underscored the critical role of universities in ‘dismantling silos that over-emphasise cut-throat competitiveness for government jobs’. “The power and peril of competing have to be appreciated and balanced,” Dhankhar said.

Emphasising on economic nationalism as being ‘quintessentially fundamental to growth’, the Vice-President said there could be no rationale to engage in avoidable imports at the cost of indigenous products. Noting that ‘fiscal gain can never be a justifiable premise to compromise economic nationalism’, he urged corporate, industry and trade associations to ‘nurture economic nationalism in mission mode’.

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Punjab Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, PU VC Prof Renu Vig and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Rev up PU progress, alumni urged

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasised the need for alumni to actively contribute to the Panjab University's progress. "The progress of the university is not on expected trajectory. It is not even a fraction of its potential. I acknowledge the good work they are doing but it is not a fraction of their potential. They must explore their potential to ensure the university reaches a level, which is in the top grade. Universities must act as a crucible for confronting ideas rather than just being sanctuary for comfort," he said.

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