New Delhi: With the Centre maintaining a stoic silence over the relentless inflammatory speeches by a section of Hindu hardliners, President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday stepped in and warned that any deviation from constitutional principles and provisions would weaken the democratic fabric of the country.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi sitting by his side, the President said, “Every Indian looks forward to the Constitution as the guarantor of liberties, freedom and equality. Any deviation from the principles and provisions embodied in the Constitution would weaken the democratic fabric of the country and jeopardise the social, economic and political well-being of our citizens.”

In his opening remarks at the 46th Governors’ Conference at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President said the Constitution was the only guiding document for providing a framework for governance and asked Governors to ensure peace and communal harmony. The conference is being attended by 21 Governors and two Lieutenant-Governors.

The President said the Governors and Lieutenant-Governors have the “primary responsibility” to ensure that the affairs of the states and Union Territories are conducted strictly in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

“Prevalence of peace and communal harmony must be ensured,” he said.

Referring to the ethnic violence plaguing Assam, the President stressed that the development of Northeast was a priority of the Union government and that ethnic violence in the state needs to be countered effectively, especially sinister motives to drive a wedge between the Bodo and non-Bodo sections.