"We can't allow the core values of our civilisation to be wasted. The core values are that over the years, civilisation celebrated diversity, promoted and advocated tolerance, enjoyed plurality. These core <g data-gr-id="24">civilisational</g> values keep us together over the centuries," Mukherjee said during the release of a book on him by senior journalist Prabhu Chawla, at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The book was released by Vice President Hamid Ansari.
"Many ancient civilisations have fallen. Despite aggression after <g data-gr-id="26">aggression</g>, our civilisation has survived because of our core <g data-gr-id="19">civilisational</g> values. If we keep that in mind, nothing can prevent our democracy from moving ahead," he added.
The message comes just days after a 50-year-old Muslim man, Mohammed Akhlaq, accused of eating beef and also storing it in his refrigerator, was beaten to death by a mob on the night of September 28 in <g data-gr-id="25">Bisara</g> village, near the national capital.
His family has denied the accusation.