“Never Singled Out One Community From The Other, Modi Ji Indulged In Most Vicious Form Of Hate Speeches”: Former PM Manmohan Singh
Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh issued a heartfelt appeal to the people of Punjab ahead of the last phase of Lok Sabha elections, addressing the critical juncture India faces today. In a detailed letter, he highlighted the pressing need to protect democracy and the Constitution from the current regime”s attempts at dictatorship.
Dr Singh praised the spirit of Punjab and Punjabis, known for their sacrifice and courage. He criticised the BJP government”s treatment of Punjab, noting the deaths of 750 farmers during protests and Prime Minister Modi”s derogatory remarks about them.
“In the past ten years, the BJP government has left no stone unturned in castigating Punjab, Punjabisand Punjabiyat. 750 farmers, mostly belonging to Punjab, were martyred while incessantly waiting at Delhi borders, for months together. As if the lathis and the rubber bullets were not enough, none less than the Prime Minister verbally assaulted our farmers by calling them “Andolanjeevis” and “Parjeevi” (Parasites) on the floor of the Parliament,” he wrote.
He pointed out the BJP”s unfulfilled promise to double farmers” income and the resulting economic hardships, contrasting this with the Congress-UPA government”s farmer-friendly policies.
He elaborated on the economic turmoil under the BJP, including the negative impacts of demonetisation, a flawed GST, and mismanagement during the COVID pandemic.
“The imposition of the demonetisation disaster, a flawed GST, and the painful mismanagement during the COVID pandemic has resulted in a miserable situation, where an expectation of a subpar 6-7 per cent GDP growth has become the new normal. Average GDP Growth under BJP Government has plunged to under 6 per cent, while during Congress-UPA tenure, it was about 8 per cent (New Series). Unprecedented unemployment and unbridled inflation have greatly widened inequality, which is now at a 100-year high,” the economist former Prime Minister said.
He emphasised the Congress party”s guarantees for farmers, which include a legal guarantee of MSP and removal of GST on farm equipment.
Singh addressed the severe unemployment and inflation issues, promising that Congress would fill 30 lakh government vacancies and improve job security for the youth through its “Yuva Nyay” guarantees. He criticized the BJP”s Agniveer Scheme for the armed forces, arguing it undermines national security and betrays young recruits.
Reflecting on his tenure, Singh recounted the Congress-UPA government”s efforts to aid Punjab, including infrastructure projects and educational institutions. He contrasted this with the BJP”s consistent denial of funds to Punjab.
Singh condemned Modi”s divisive rhetoric and hate speeches, asserting that no Prime Minister before Modi has used such hateful language to target specific sections of society. He urged voters to reject these forces of discord and to vote for development, inclusivity, and a brighter future under Congress.
“Modi ji has indulged in the most vicious form of hate speeches, which are purely divisive in nature. Modi ji is the first Prime Minister to lower the dignity of public discourse, and thereby the gravity of the office of the Prime Minister. No Prime Minister in the past has uttered such hateful, unparliamentary and coarse terms, meant to target either a specific section of the society or the opposition,” Dr Singh wrote.
On PM Modi’s remarks on Dr Singh’s alleged efforts of giving special treatment to Muslims, he said: “He has also attributed some false statements to me. I have never in my life singled out one community from the other. That is the sole copyright of the BJP. People of India are seeing through all of this. This narrative of dehumanisation has now reached its peak.”
In conclusion, Singh appealed for love, peace, and harmony, invoking a verse by Allama Iqbal to celebrate India”s pluralistic civilization. He urged the people of Punjab to vote for a progressive future where democracy and the Constitution are safeguarded.
