Every Citizen Must Strive to Protect Democracy: Dr Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy

KHAMMAM: BJP national leader and former Karnataka and Tamil Nadu co-in-charge Dr Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy on Thursday called upon every citizen to actively participate in protecting democracy, constitutional values and the country’s unity, stating that remaining silent when democratic institutions face challenges is not the responsibility of responsible citizens.

Addressing a programme organised at the IMA Hall in Khammam under the chairmanship of Dr Gongura Venkateswarlu, he said democracy was not limited to exercising the right to vote once every five years, but involved continuous public participation, government accountability, freedom of expression and constitutional governance.

He stressed that national interests must take precedence over political considerations and described national unity, constitutional principles and social harmony as essential guiding values for the country’s progress.

Dr Sudhakar Reddy said nationalism should not be viewed merely as a political slogan, but as a commitment to the nation, its people, unity and collective development. India’s strength, he observed, lay in its diversity of languages, cultures, traditions and customs, all of which were united by a shared sense of Indianness.

Referring to the ideological foundations of the BJP, he said the party’s political journey was based on a set of principles and a national vision rather than merely the pursuit of power. He highlighted Integral Humanism, propounded by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, as a key ideological principle, emphasising the interconnected development of individuals, families, society and the nation.

Development, he said, should reach every section of society, particularly the poorest and most disadvantaged. The concept of Antyodaya aimed at improving the lives of the last person in the social and economic order by ensuring access to education, healthcare, employment and economic opportunities.

He also underlined the importance of social harmony, stating that divisions based on caste, religion, region and language should not undermine national unity. Social equality, mutual respect and equal opportunities for all sections were essential for inclusive development, he said, adding that discrimination, untouchability and religious hatred had no place in a democratic society.

Highlighting the role of democratic institutions, Dr Sudhakar Reddy said the Opposition, independent media and an impartial judiciary were important components of a democratic system. Questioning government policies and raising public issues were legitimate democratic activities, he observed.

He called for a political culture that respected constructive criticism and acknowledged the role of journalists in bringing public issues to the attention of authorities. At the same time, he urged media organisations to ensure factual and responsible reporting, cautioning against misinformation, false propaganda and inflammatory content.

He further stated that protecting democracy was a continuous responsibility requiring public awareness, constitutional commitment, respect for citizens’ rights and opposition to corruption. People should question actions that weaken democratic institutions through lawful and peaceful means, he added.

Nationalism, democracy, social justice, Antyodaya and value-based politics were interconnected principles in building an inclusive and developed India, he said.

IMA Khammam president Dr Kurapati Hariprasad and BJP Khammam district president Nelluri Koteswara Rao also spoke at the programme.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PV Satyanarayana

PV Satyanarayana[email protected]

P.V.Satyanarayana is a journalist with an experience of 20years. PV Satyanarayans has completed his post-graduation in MSc (Mathematics) from Allahabad University. Interested in writing *Feature Stories and political stories Hobbies: Reading Newspapers and listening to songs.

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