India’s soul in danger from social disharmony, slowdown and global health epidemic, says ex-PM Manmohan Singh
New Delhi: Former Prime Minister and senior Congress leader Manmohan Singh today said that India is facing imminent danger from the unholy trinity of social disharmony, economic slowdown and a global health epidemic in the form of coronavirus.
Singh further asserted that this “potent combination of risks” may not only rupture the soul of India but also diminish its global standing.
‘Situation grim and morose’
In an opinion piece published in a newspaper, Singh warned that “India that we know and cherish is slipping away fast” and termed the situation as very “grim and morose”.
Raising the issue of North-East Delhi riots, Singh said that communal tensions have been stoked with flames of religious intolerance being fanned by unruly sections of the society, including the political class.
“University campuses, public places and private homes are bearing the brunt of communal outbursts of violence, reminiscent of the dark periods in India’s history,” he said adding that institutions of law and order have abandoned their ‘dharma’ to protect citizens.
Cornering the judiciary and the media – fourth pillar of democracy – Singh said that both of them have failed the people.
‘Every act of sectarian violence is a blemish on Mahatma Gandhi’s India’
Calling communal tensions, gross economic mismanagement and an external health shock as a threat which can derail India’s progress and standing in the world Singh said it was time to confront the harsh reality of the grave risks the nation faces and address them squarely and sufficiently.
“Social unrest and economic ruin are self-inflicted while the health contagion of COVID-19 disease, caused by the novel coronavirus, is an external shock,” he said.
The former PM said he was deeply worried that this potent combination of risks may not only rupture the soul of India but also diminish its global standing as an economic and democratic power in the world.
Starting the op-ed with the words – “It is with a very heavy heart that I write this”, Singh also offered his advice to address the challenges terming it a three-point plan.
Advice for COVID-19, social harmony and economy
Manmohan Singh said that the Centre should focus all energies and efforts on containing the COVID-19 threat and make adequate preparations. On maintaining the peaceful atmosphere in the country, Singh said that the Narendra Modi-led NDA government should withdraw or amend the Citizenship Act so as to end the toxic social climate and foster national unity.
On the economic front, Singh – who had initiated the economic liberalization as the finance minister during PV Narasimha Rao’s tenure in 1991– urged the Centre to put together a detailed and meticulous fiscal stimulus plan to boost consumption demand and revive the economy.
