There should be no ‘mera-tera’ in our minds, celebrate India’s diversity, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to citizens to display “unity and unitedness” by displaying an “India first” attitude that will help over come differences and promote a celebration of India’s diversity.

The Prime Minister’s comments during his Independence Day address comes in the context of several divisive rows in the preceding months over issues that have raised communal temperatures. The divisive Hijab row in Karnataka and more recent attacks related to alleged blasphemy against Prophet Mohammad have been accompanied by provocative rhetoric by individuals and religious groups on both sides of the communal divide.

“The fourth vow I want to speak of in the need for unity and unitedness in our 130 crore people. There should be no ours and theirs (apna, paraya). Ek bharat shreshtha bharat (One India, best India) is our goal,” he said. The issues that divide will take a back seat if people resolve to adopt an India first approach.

Using the English phrase, the Prime Minister said, “Today a holier than thou attitude is the reason for tensions. Truth is one, it can be interpreted differently. Brahman is in all. Jan kalyan se jag kalyan (from welfare of our people to the welfare of the world) is our goal,” he said.

Elaborating on his references to “oneness”, he said “Such a big diversity is to be celebrated. All equal. All is ours. If you open the way to unity, the mine and your (mera, tera) mentality will go away.

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Rajeev Deshpande

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