Pranab Mukherjee will address an RSS event in Nagpur on Thursday
Former President and Congress veteran Pranab Mukherjee today warned that any attempt to define India through "religion, dogma or intolerance" will only dilute the country's existence, as he attended an RSS event amid criticism by several of his party leaders including his own daughter. Mr Mukherjee said intolerance will only dilute India' national identity and Indian nationalism emanated from universalism, assimilation and co-existence. "In India, we derive our strength from tolerance, and respect our pluralism. We celebrate our diversity," he said. "I am here to share my understanding on nation, nationalism and patriotism about our country which is 'Bharat'," said Mr Mukherjee, who served as President of India between 2012 and 2017.
Here are the Live updates of Pranab Mukherjee's address at RSS event in Nagpur:
"Pranab Mukherjee's visit to the RSS headquarters had led to a wide range of discussions and concerns. Today, Pranab Mukherjee has shown the mirror to RSS at their headquarters. He talked of plurality, tolerance and multiculturalism," says Congress leader Randeep Surjewala.
"India's nationhood is not one language, one religion, one enemy. It is perennial universalism of 1.3 billion people who use more than 122 languages and 1,600 dialects, practice seven major religions and belong to three major ethnic groups, live under one system, one flag and one identity of being Bharatiya": Pranab Mukherjee at RSS event.
"In a democracy, informed and reasoned public engagement on all issues of national importance is essential. A dialogue is necessary not only to balance the competing interests but also to reconcile them," says Pranab Mukherjee.
In my 50 years of public life, as party activist and lawmakers, I have understood the plurality. It is our composite culture, it is one entity, says Pranab Mukherjee
Pranab Mukherjee At RSS event: "Secularism and inclusion a matter of faith for us".
"Democracy represents the hope and aspirations of billions," says Pranab Mukherjee.
"For us democracy is not a gift but a separate task," says Pranab Mukherjee in address to RSS workers.
"Our national identity has emerged after a long drawn process of confluence and assimilation, the multiple cultures and faiths make us special and tolerant," says Pranab Mukherjee.
Any attempt at defining our nationhood in terms of dogma and identities or religion, region, hatred and intolerance will only lead to dilution of our identity: Dr Pranab Mukherjee at RSS's Tritiya Varsh event.
Pranab Mukherjee: Nation is defined as a large group of people, sharing the same culture, language or history and living in the same area.
Nationalism is defined as identification with one's own nation, and supports for interests. Patriotism is one's vigorous devotion to one's country.
"Today I am here amid you to share my understanding, my concepts of nation, nationalism and patriotism," says Pranab Mukherjee as he addresses RSS workers in Nagpur.
Pranab Mukherjee delivers the main address at the function organised for RSS cadre training to become full-time volunteers or pracharaks.
"We don't mind difference in opinions, we just want everyone to be contributing to an united India," says Mohan Bhagwat.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says, "Power is in unity, when everyone works together. And if not well contained it becomes demonic."
"Governments can do a lot but not everything. Everyone has to be selfless, bias has to be given up when we can sacrifice everything for the country, when everyone comes together, then everyone becomes a part of nurturing the country's better interests," says Mohan Bhagwat.
"We have to respect others and their choices and only then we can be united. Our values are based on unity and only with the natural values of understanding other people's values, we have shaped up," says Mohan Bhagwat as he addresses RSS workers in Nagpur.
"The debate on why he accepted the invite to come here is meaningless," says Mohan Bhagwat.
"With all our differences we are the sons of mother India," Mohan Bhagwat addresses RSS event in Nagpur.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat speaks at Tritiya Varsha event in Nagpur, welcomes former President Pranab Mukherjee.
Pranab Mukherjee on stage with RSS leaders as he gets ready to speak at the event.
Among those who tried to dissuade Mr Mukherjee from attending, were Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, former Union Minister CK Jaffer Sharief and the party's Bengal unit leader Adhir Choudhury.
Pranab Mukherjee has been repeatedly asked to reconsider his decision by various leaders of the Congress, his party for five decades till he became the president in 2012. Many have expressed concern at the optics of the matter, pointing to what they call the divisive nature of the RSS, ideological mentor of the ruling BJP.
Pranab Mukherjee and Mohan Bhagwat offers their homage at the statue of RSS founder K. B. Hedgewar.
RSS cadres holds march past at the event in Nagpur
Pranab Mukherjee with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at RSS event in Nagpur.
Pranab Mukherjee with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as RSS event begins.
Congress takes on RSS as Pranab Mukherjee is shortly expected to address in Nagpur.
Congress leader Anand Sharma on Pranab Mukherjee's visit to RSS headquarters in Nagpur: "The images of Pranab Da, veteran leader and ideologue at RSS Headquarters have anguished millions of Congress workers and all those who believed in pluralism, diversity and the foundational values of the Indian Republic."
Several Congress leaders objected to Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Nagpur, including his daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel also said he didn't expect this from Pranab Mukherjee.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee arrived in Nagpur on Wednesday. He will deliver the main address at the function today organised for RSS cadre training to become full-time volunteers or pracharaks.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee called RSS founder KB Hedgewar "a great son of Mother India" in a written note in the visitor's book at his birthplace in Nagpur.
"I came here to pay my respect and homage to a great son of Mother India": Former President Pranab Mukherjee writes in the visitor's book at RSS founder KB Hedgewar's birthplace in Nagpur.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at its headquarters in Nagpur.
Pranab Mukherjee arrives at RSS headquarters in Nagpur.
Pranab Mukherjee's day at RSS today
Pranab Mukherjee is scheduled to arrive at the venue at 5:30 pm, where he will be welcomed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Mr Mukherjee will then have tea with Mr Bhagwat and RSS No. 2 Bhaiyyaji Joshi, after which senior functionaries of the Sangh will be introduced to him.
Did not expect this from Pranab da: Ahmed Patel
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel today expressed his disapproval at former president Pranab Mukherjee visiting the RSS headquarters in Nagpur and said he did not expect this from him.
Mr Patel, who is UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's close confidant and has been her political secretary, voiced his view on Twitter, in reply to Mr Mukherjee's daughter who spoke out against the decision of the former president to address an RSS event. "I did not expect this from Pranab da!" Patel said in his one line tweet.
Today, Pranab Mukherjee will address a meeting of RSS volunteers after 6 pm.
Pranab Mukherjee landed in Nagpur last night and reportedly dined with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.