Take strong action against the countries promoting terrorism: Vice President

The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu today urged the world community to come together to take strong action against the countries which are aiding and abetting terrorism.

Addressing the 32nd Annual Convocation of Goa University in Panaji today, the Vice President said that terrorism is the enemy of humanity and denounced the actions of one of our neighbours in promoting cross-border terrorism.

While reiterating that India wanted peaceful coexistence with all its neighbours, the Vice President referred to the decision of global watchdog, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to keep a neighbouring country in the grey list and said that it was a grim reminder to the global community to exert greater pressure and hold that country to account on terrorism.

Naidu said that there is no place for violence in a democracy and asked the youth to shun negativism and join the forces of growth.

Stating that dissent was an essential feature of democracy, the Vice President, however, cautioned that nobody has a right to speak against the nation.

Naidu expressed happiness that in recent times people are talking about the importance of the Constitution. Calling it a positive sign, he said that every citizen must follow the Constitution in letter and spirit and adopt constitutional methods to achieve his/ her goals.

Stating that rights and responsibilities go together, he also remained people the need to perform their duties.

Asking youth to be at the forefront of making India stronger the Vice President advised them to select and elect leaders on the basis of 4 Cs—Good Conduct, Character, Capacity and Calibre and not on the basis of other 4Cs–Caste, Community, Cash and Criminality.