NEW DELHI, Jan 25 � In an apparent reference to the civil society movement for a strong Lokpal, President Pratibha Patil today said one has to be cautious in bringing about reforms so that the tree of democratic institutions does not come down, reports PTI.
�While bringing about reforms and improving institutions, we have to be cautious that while shaking the tree to remove the bad fruit, we do not bring down the tree itself�, she said in her address to the nation on the eve of the 63rd Republic Day.
Patil did not specifically mention the anti-corruption movement of Anna Hazare but the remarks could be seen as a reference to the movement for the anti-corruption ombudsman. She said India can take pride in its democratic record but as in any functional democracy, it faces pressures and challenges.
