As election fervor heats up across the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a rally in Rajasthan, charged that if the Congress were to come to power, they would distribute the wealth of the people among Muslims. During this event, PM Modi referred to a statement from 2006 made by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Modi claims that Singh had asserted Muslims have the first right over the nation's resources.
Following PM Modi's statement, Manmohan Singh's 2006 utterance has once again sparked widespread discussion. On December 9, 2006, Singh addressed the 52nd meeting of the National Development Council (NDC) discussing the eleventh Five Year Plan and development strategies, insisting on the empowerment of all backward and minority groups for equitable participation in development.
What did former PM Manmohan Singh say?
During his address to the NDC, Singh stated that our collective priorities are very clear. Investment in agriculture, irrigation, and water resources, health, education, and rural infrastructure, as well as programs for the upliftment of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, minorities, women, and children, are our priorities. We need to revamp our plans for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to ensure that minorities, especially Muslims, get an equal share in development. They should be given first right over resources.
Singh had emphasized the need for new plans to ensure equal participation for minorities in the country's development and suggested that the Planning Commission would certainly review programs that no longer served any valid purpose. However, he acknowledged the inevitability of expanding central resources in the near future and the increased responsibilities of the states.
Highlighting the start of the eleventh Five Year Plan, Singh mentioned that it commences at a juncture where our nation's economic potential has made possible the realization of our founders' dreams. He was envisioning a prosperous and equitable India, an inclusive India which offers everyone the opportunity to excel in their field. He believed that this plan would fulfill that vision, living up to the expectations and aspirations of our people.
PMO's Clarification Released
Even at that time, there was controversy over Singh's statement, which led to a clarification by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on December 10. This clarification maintained that the PM discussed empowering minorities, not the misrepresentation that was subsequently circulated.
What did PM Modi say?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally in Banswara, Rajasthan, contended that if Congress assumes power, they will divide the properties of the people among Muslims. He reiterated that the previous government under Manmohan Singh had claimed that Muslims have the primary right over the nation's assets. Modi questioned whether Congress intended to distribute the wealth to those with larger families or illegal immigrants, asking if the hard-earned money of the citizens should go to such individuals.
Read former PM Manmohan Singh's full 2006 statement here.
