Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh writing for ‘The Hindu’ said that he is deeply concerned about the social disharmony, economic mess and the deadly corona virus that has the potential to diminish the nation’s global standing as an economic and democratic power in the world.
He held that the first two issues are the mis-doings of the government whereas the coronavirus is associated with a global phenomenon.
He rued at the fact that the communal violence in the national capital which as claimed more than 50 lives have exposed the fault times of the society and threatened the rule of law. He is disappointed with the fact that the police were mere bystanders during these riots. He said that only those who started these riots, can stop them and restore harmony in the society.
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He added:
“At a time when our economy is floundering, the impact of such social unrest will only exacerbate the economic slowdown”.
As far as the economy is concerned, he said:
“Investors, industrialists and entrepreneurs are unwilling to undertake new projects and have lost their risk-taking appetite. No amount of tweaking of tax rates, showering of corporate incentives or goading will propel Indian or businesses to invest, when the risk of eruption of sudden violence in one’s neighbourhood loons large”.
The former Prime Minister called for a collective effort to fight the spread of the Coronavirus.