Jodhpur: President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Dec 15, 2004) spoke out against increasing intolerance for views of others and their religions and denounced use of violence to sort out such differences.

Stressing that at the social level, it was necessary to work for "unity of minds", Kalam said "the increasing intolerance for views of others, increasing contempt about ways of lives of others or their religions or the expressions of these differences through lawless violence against people could not be justified in any context".

Addressing students of the National Law University in Jodhpur, he said the administration of law and justice should take into account the overall impact of the judgements on the process of societal transformation and welfare of the citizens at large.

"The rate of change of national development is directly proportional to the functional efficiency of the legal system and the quality of judgement," he said speaking on 'Legal System for National Development'.

The President said he would suggest future lawyers and faculty members to think about what type of leadership they could give for the second vision of the nation, which was transforming India into a developed nation.

Stressing that law and judiciary have a crucial role to play in the development and evolution of a society, he said law essentially plays the balancing role by resolving conflicts, ensuring justice and fair play when new opportunities and challenges are opening up in the developing society.

Observing that science and technology have emerged as a strong force during the current period of human history, Kalam said legal instruments must maximize the benefits for our people and nation.

Laws must protect the indigenous technologies and trade to the extent they impact peoples' lives and their welfare as well as ensure national interest, he added.

Pointing out the restrictive laws adopted by developed countries, he asked the legal community to play the balancing role so that Indian technological growth could continue to benefit people and nation, free from undue interferences or unfair practices by any party with vested interest, domestic or foreign.

"Industrially developed countries were trying to make laws and treaties to protect and promote their own national interests and priorities, instead of working for win-win partnerships," he said adding India should work for win-win situation even in business and trade with ethics and make many partners.

He also suggested that people start the use of information and communication technology in legal dispute resolution at the grass root level as it would enable the judiciary to reduce pending cases.

Lawyers have an important role to play in redefining laws protecting India's wealth and strategic assets in space, cyber and sea, he said.

Elaborating the existing space, sea and cyber laws, the President said cyber law should be integrated with the information security policy.