New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu today said that the government was ready for a debate on 'intolerance' if the Opposition allowed the House to function.
While appealing for a mature debate and discussions to the MPs, he said, "Nothing has gone wrong during Narendra Modi's regime and there is absolute tolerance in the country. We are ready for a debate on intolerance. But it should not be blown out of proportion. We have nothing to hide."
"Different writers have different opinions, Things used to happen earlier also. During the emergency, constitutional and fundamental rights were crippled, these people (writers) were silent then and violent now," he added.
The rising intolerance has become a contentious issue in the recent times with several prominent writers, poets, actors and filmmakers returning their national awards as a protest.
On GST Bill, the Union Minister said that discussions are on with all political parties including the Congress.
"GST is a historical necessity. It is a game changer. Certain issues have been raised and government is ready to address them," he said.
After the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh, the government is expecting that it will be able to pass the GST with consensus and not just a majority.
The first two days of the session that began on November 26 were functional as parties did not want to be seen blocking a discussion on the Constitution on the occasion of Ambedkar's anniversary.
