New Delhi: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu stated on Friday that India is the most secular country in the world, despite the fact that the western media disparages the Indian government on matters of secularism and free speech.
He further stated that they are unable to accept the reality that India is on the rise. Some of them are afflicted with dyspepsia.
While speaking at a book launch, Venkaiah Naidu said, "There is a trend in Western media to run down the Indian government on issues of secularism, free speech. They cannot digest the fact that India is on the rise. Some of them suffering from indigestion...India is the most secular country in the world."
"There are instances of individuals here and there... but as a whole, we practice secularism because it's in the blood, nerves and veins of Indians not because of this government or that government...Respecting all religions is our age-old practice," he further said.
The operation of democracy in the nation complies with the fundamental values of safeguarding equal rights and justice for all citizens, he added.
Naidu At Book Launch:
Naidu was addressing at the inauguration event of the English and Hindi editions of the book "Democracy, Politics, and Governance," written by A. Surya Prakash, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.
Naidu praised him for developing successful evidence-based counter-narratives in the wake of recent negative assessments on its operation by several Western and American bodies.
Earlier on Friday, on the occasion of Constitution Day, Mr Naidu stated that the operation of democracy in the nation corresponds to the Constitutional values of safeguarding equal rights and justice for all citizens, and that it does not require validation from any foreign authorities.
(With inputs from ANI)