’Excessive allegations weaken democracy’

Kolhapur (Maharashtra), January 3: Excessive allegations by the media can weaken democracy, particularly when allegations replace proper criticism, Prime Minister rendra Modi said here on Saturday.

"Criticism can help prevent mistakes and eble reveal the truth. Every decision, every thought must be criticised. If there is no criticism in a democracy, then there is a problem. However, in recent times, there hasn’t been proper criticism, as allegations have replaced criticism,” Modi said during the platinum jubilee celebrations of Marathi newspaper Pudhari here.

He termed “samvad” (dialogue/debate) as very important for a democracy to thrive, along with “vivad” (criticism).

“But these days, there is no healthy criticism. Sadly there are mostly allegations. It is like a ‘tu tu, main main’ (pointing fingers) scerio,” Modi said.

The prime minister called for a thorough alysis and study of criticism as it has become a casualty of speed in the modern era.

“The need of the hour is healthy criticism, not allegations.”

The Prime Minister said people looked up to the media to provide good, truthful news as a dialogue was imperative for the survival of democracy.