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New Delhi: Noting that the country's history and traditions have always celebrated the "argumentative" Indian rather than an "intolerant" Indian, President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday asked people to be "uncompromising" in rejecting intolerance.
Inaugurating the World Book Fair here on Saturday, the President also stressed for doing everything possible for preserving and nurturing the ideals of a secular, multi-lingual and democratic India.
Without any reference to the recent controversy over withdrawal of a book by Penguin, the President said the freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution must be preserved.
"We must be uncompromising in rejecting intolerance, prejudice and hatred. Book fairs such as this should remind us that our history and traditions have always celebrated the 'argumentative' Indian and not the 'intolerant' Indian.
"Multiple views, thoughts and philosophies have competed with each other peacefully for centuries in our country and freedom of speech is one of the most important fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution," he said.
The comments of the President assume significance in the wake of Penguin making an out of court settlement for withdrawing and pulping of all copies of the book written by US author Wendy Doniger -- 'Hindus and Alternative History'.
The President said such international book fairs were the best manifestations of India's liberal, democratic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and secular society where competing ideas and ideologies have equal space.
Talking about the Book Fair, the President expressed happiness about this year's theme 'Kathasagar: Celebrating Children's Literature' and said children are the best readers of literature because they do not have "patience for pretence".
