Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday hit out at the BJP government at the Centre, saying the way it had worked in a negative manner on India’s history it could endanger country’s freedom again.
“..our nation attained freedom years back in which the Congress party had a great role to play...but the way the BJP government during the last four-and-a-half years had been working in a negative manner on India’s history, it could endanger the country’s freedom once again,” said Mr. Singh at the relaunch of Navjivan , the Hindi newspaper of Associated Journals Limited (AJL) here.
Mr. Singh said: “I appeal to people across the country that they should understand that this (BJP) government is taking the country in the wrong direction. People need to put up a fight.”
Congress president Rahul Gandhi also lashed out at the Modi government for “failing to address the concerns of farmers and the youth of the country”.
“The country is in the grip of anger, and it’s rising..the reason behind this is the fact that the BJP government is not able to give jobs to the youth and this is the key challenge before the government,” he said, adding that government was completely indifferent towards farmers’ problems as well.
Mr. Gandhi said: “Farmers for them (BJP) is a liability. But I want to tell them that without farmers the country won’t move ahead – be it 21st or 22nd century. It’s absolutely clear that without food security and farmers prosperous future, the country can’t move forward.”
“Institutions such as the Army, media and judiciary across the country are being used by the Prime Minister for political gains, putting the country’s independence under threat,” he said.
‘Atmosphere of fear’
Mr. Gandhi said an atmosphere of fear has been created in the country, the media industry was being threatened and suppressed by the BJP. “The BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh don’t want to listen or read anything against them. The media should write and present facts without fear. Congress is always ready to face criticism and correct ourself if we are wrong – that is the difference between us (Congress) and them (BJP),” said Mr. Gandhi.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu did not attend the event as both were unwell.
