Thursday, February 17 2005 20:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad took a dig at neighbouring Nepal and Pakistan saying they have made a "mockery of democracy."

"While democracy is deeply rooted in this country, in Nepal and in another neighbouring country, which I do not want to name since talks for normalisation of relations with them are on, they have made a mockery of democracy," he said after witnessing a youth parliament conducted by winner of the 6th National Youth Parliament competition in New Delhi.

Observing that democracy in India has withstood several trials and tribulations to emerge as a vibrant and vigorous system, he said, "It is therefore, no surprise, that even the hardcore terrorists have miserably failed to shake the foundations of our temple of democracy, when they attacked the Parliament building."

Giving the first prize to Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, he said, "There is no place for violence in a democracy, Indeed our culture, a way of our life, values evolution and not revolution."