'There is a dialogue deficit, it is not a good sign,' says Kailash Satyarthi

We ought to have dignity of being an Indian

Mumbai

: Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Friday said intolerance is on the rise in the country and there is a -"dialogue deficit-" between the government and its people.

-"There is significant intolerance in our society. Not only intolerance but fear and apathy has also risen in the society at large which is dividing it.-"

-"This situation is prevailing because there is dialogue deficit between the government and some sections of the society, which should be resolved as soon as possible,-" Mr Satyarthi said on the sidelines of an event held at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

-"Not only in India but the rising intolerance is a world wide phenomenon. But I wish the government soon breaks the monologue and starts dialogue with an open mind,-" he said.

When asked what was his opinion on litterateurs, film makers and scientists who were returning their awards, he said, -"whatever is happening is not a good sign-".

-"The need of the hour is that the government sit with these people and listen to their point of view at least,-" he added.

Earlier, while addressing a gathering of students and social workers at TISS, Mr Satyarthi expressed concern on the way people were educating their children on matters of religion.

-"Our children have not made religion or caste. They should be taught in a way that binds the different followers of different religions but unfortunately its not happening,-" the child rights activist said.

-"We should be proud of being humans first. We ought to have dignity of being an Indian, but it doesn't mean that we should hate Pakistan,-" he said.

-"If we have simplicity, austerity, quest for learning and nature to forgive someone's mistake, then there is child alive inside your heart, never let this child die,-" he appealed.