In op-ed, Manmohan Singh talks about coronavirus, communal tensions, economy
India is battling self-inflicted pain of communal tensions, sinking economy, and now has to deal with coronavirus too, former Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh wrote in an opinion piece on Friday, asking his successor Narendra Modi to act fast. In the piece, published in The Hindu, Dr. Singh said India's global standing as a democratic power faces the risk of getting diminished.
Dr. Singh wrote the piece with a heavy heart
Talking about the Delhi riots, Dr. Singh noted that nearly 50 people lost their lives for no reason. "Communal tensions have been stoked and flames of religious intolerance fanned by unruly sections of our society, including 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 wrote.
The soul of nation faces threat: Dr. Singh
The senior Congress leader noted that institutions of justice and democracy's fourth pillar, media, failed the people. "With no checks, the fire of social tensions is rapidly spreading across the nation and threatens to char the soul of our nation. It can only be extinguished by the same people that lit it," he added. Dr. Singh wrote past deeds can't justify the newest bout of violence.
India's image has deteriorated rapidly, he claimed
"Every act of sectarian violence is a blemish on Mahatma Gandhi's India. Just in a matter of a few years, India has slid rapidly from being a global showcase of a model of economic development through liberal democratic methods to a strife-ridden majoritarian state in economic despair," he added.
According to Dr. Singh, economy is stuck in vicious cycle
About the economy, Dr. Singh said investors, industrialists, and entrepreneurs have lost their risk appetite. Claiming that tweaking tax rates will not do much, he wrote, "Lack of investment means lack of jobs and incomes, which, in turn, means lack of consumption and demand in the economy. A lack of demand will only further suppress private investments. This is the vicious cycle that our economy is stuck in."
Coronavirus' emergence should also worry the government
If these worries aren't enough, coronavirus has arrived in India, reminded Dr. Singh. "Nations across the world have sprung into action to contain the impact of this epidemic. China is walling off major cities and public places. Italy is shutting down schools. America has embarked aggressively both to quarantine people as well as hasten research efforts to find a cure," he added.
Coronavirus should be government's top priority right now: Dr. Singh
Dr. Singh suggested ideas for the government too. "First, it should focus all energies and efforts on containing the COVID-19 threat and prepare adequately. Two, it should withdraw or amend the Citizenship Act, end the toxic social climate and foster national unity. Three, it should put together a detailed and meticulous fiscal stimulus plan to boost consumption demand and revive the economy," he wrote.
