‘Accommodate Others’ Preferences, Don’t Impose Your Own’: Vice President Radhakrishnan In Kashmir

Last Updated:February 26, 2026, 16:12 IST

Speaking at the University of Kashmir convocation, the Vice President said that Indians are democrats and respect everyone.

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Thursday stressed the importance of mutual respect and democratic values, recalling a personal anecdote from his time as Governor of Jharkhand.

Speaking at the University of Kashmir convocation, the Vice President, who is on his maiden two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, referred to the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ programme — an initiative aimed at promoting national integration and cultural exchange among states.

He shared that during his tenure as Governor — from February 18, 2023 to July 30, 2024 — when Kashmiri students visited under the programme, he personally instructed the Raj Bhawan (now Lok Bhawan) staff to serve them non-vegetarian food or any cuisine they preferred.

“When I was the Governor of Jharkhand, the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat‘ programme was introduced. I asked Raj Bhawan to provide non-vegetarian food, or the food they liked, to the Kashmiri students who had come, even though I am a vegetarian myself," the Vice President said.

The Vice President said that Indians are democrats and respect everyone. He stressed the need to accommodate others’ preferences without imposing one’s own views.

“I asked Raj Bhawan to serve the Kashmiri students non-veg food or whatever food they preferred. We are democrats, and we have to accept the sentiments of others. We can be proud of our own sentiments, but that doesn’t mean we should degrade the sentiments of others. That is not good, and no true democrat will do that."

The ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative, which pairs states and Union Territories for sustained engagement through student exchanges, cultural events and shared experiences, aims to build such bridges of understanding and empathy.

The Vice President’s visit includes attending the 21st convocation ceremony of the University of Kashmir as Chief Guest, amid tight security arrangements in the city.

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