Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has stressed the need to strengthen the bonds of unity, amity and harmony in society. Speaking at a function in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr Singh appealed to all religious sects to act with restraint and respect everyone. He said, the country's long standing convention for openness to new ideas, tolerance towards other faiths and giving them respect was as old as Indian civilisation itself.

The Home Minister said, India stands united not because of one religion or some theological thought holding the political power or exercising control over the system, but because it provides space to peaceful co-existence of multiple thoughts of theologies. Mr Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly believes in taking every section of society along and build a New India. He said, the goal is 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.