‘Vishwaguru should take the path of social harmony’

Nitin Gadkari says a leader should tolerate the strongest opinion against him, and people should have the freedom of religion

- Ravikiran Deshmukh

Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari, who is spearheading the BJP's campaign for the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, raised several eyebrows on Friday by declaring that the biggest test of democracy is that the king (ruler) tolerates the strongest opinion against him and introspects over it.

Speaking at a book release function in Pune, he said the writers and intellectuals should express themselves fearlessly. In India, there is no problem of difference of opinion but "there is a problem of lack of opinion," said the leader who once headed the state BJP before taking over as the national president. He further said, there could be a difference of opinion, but it should not lead to personal differences. In a democracy, our opinions may differ, but we still have to respect another's opinion.