In a passionate Rajya Sabha debate thanking the President for her address, Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh on Monday laid bare what he sees as India’s deepening crises: fraying social unity and skyrocketing economic divides.
The MP from Madhya Pradesh accused the government of failing minorities despite constitutional safeguards. Bulldozers razing homes on religious grounds? Punish the guilty, yes—but not entire families, he implored.
High-profile detentions underscore the injustice, Singh argued. Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam remain imprisoned for years sans chargesheet. He pressed: Will action be taken against Assam’s CM for hate speech?
Turning to Ladakh, Singh highlighted Sonam Wangchuk’s plight. This environmentalist and educator, revered locally, sought only the fulfillment of Sixth Schedule promises from elections. Yet, he’s been behind bars for 100 days inexplicably.
‘Is this equal justice?’ Singh probed. On economics, he invoked reports showing extreme wealth concentration: 10% richest hoard 58% income, 65% wealth; bottom half gets 15% income, mere 6.4% assets—worse than British Raj.
Singh blasted the tax system where commoners pay more than corporates, labeling the regime hostile to the poor, workers, and farmers. SC/ST groups face harassment, rights erode while duties amplify, black money repatriation fizzles, and jobs turn precarious via outsourcing.
Security lapses are alarming: 2,000 sq km lost to China, 26/65 patrolling points seized in eastern Ladakh. Democracy teeters as communal frenzy—pitting Hindus against Muslims—dismantles the harmony forged post-Partition.
Workers toil in misery, farmers’ income vows unkept, a lakh schools closed nationwide. Singh called for urgent focus on harmony, equity, and real progress to salvage the nation’s soul.