Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday called for strengthening the thriving space for discussion and dialogue in the public realm, suggesting that intolerance of others’ points of view is antithetical to the vision of free exchange of thought.

Speaking at the third edition of a national colloquium ‘Lokmanthan’, Vice President said, “It is time to step out of our echo chambers – caused by both social structures and social media algorithms – and let our mind breathe. We must revive the art of listening; we must rediscover the art of dialogue.”

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Recalling that India has a great heritage of debate, discussion and knowledge sharing, Dhankhar said that lessons can be drawn from the past to uplift the quality of discussions in the public domain, especially in legislatures.

Dhankhar added that in the ‘race for one-upmanship and under the constant glare of the public eye, debates – televised or on social media – are turning into cacophonous fighting arenas’.

The Vice President underlined the role of the intelligentsia in Indian society, referring to how sages advised kings historically on issues of policy and ensured harmony and stability in society.

Calling upon intellectuals to speak upon prevailing issues, he said that “if our intelligentsia decides to opt for silence in the current times, then this very important section of society is bound to be silenced forever. They must freely practice dialogue and deliberation so that societal morality and propriety are preserved.”

Underscoring the primacy attached to Freedom of Expression in the Constitution and the rich quality of Constituent Assembly debates, Dhankhar said that they are a testimony to the importance of free-spirited and healthy discussion that India has long cherished. “Freedom of expression is the nectar of democracy”, he said.

The Vice President called upon the intellectuals from the civic society to play a proactive role in ensuring the harmonious balance of the three branches of the state – Legislature, Executive and Judiciary – through deliberative mechanisms.

“Democratic values and human rights will certainly blossom with intelligentsia adopting a proactive stance of dialogue and discussion,” he added.

Reflecting on the “common cultural thread” among all Indians, Dhankhar observed that the beauty and strength of indubitable cultural unity reflect in every facet of national life.

“Right from the mundane, secular matters to the lofty spiritual aspects – from the songs sung by farmers during the sowing season to our holistic approach towards the environment – the underlying oneness of Bharatiyata can be felt,” he stated.

In order to achieve true independence in mind and spirit, the Vice President called for developing a sense of the country’s own history, which includes folk traditions, local art forms and numerous dialects. He also called for empowering the youth to think for themselves and be equipped “not only with the right skill set but also with the right mindset.”