PM Has Obligation Not To Use Language That Has Become Common: Manmohan Singh

At the launch of former I&B minister Manish Tewari’s new book in the capital yesterday, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke about the need for restraint in political discourse

"My advice to the prime minister is that he should exercise due restraint becoming of the office of the prime minister. When he goes to states ruled by parties other than he belongs, he has the obligation not to use the type of language that has become common,” said Singh.

Stating that the Congress never discriminated against the BJP ruled states, the former PM added, “We never discriminated against BJP ruled states. The prime minister of a country must set an example, he is the prime minister of all the citizens of our country and his conduct must be worthy and consistent with the obligation that he/she has as prime minister.”

Earlier speaking at the same event, former I&B Minister Manish Tewari, spoke about some major issues concerning social media today. “I don’t know if it is the vitriol on social media which has shaped the mainstream discourse or it is the coarseness of mainstream discourse which is sharpening the toxicity of social media. Unfortunately the way social media is structured, people are able to abuse privacy, but now it is no longer confined to social media.”

“I think there is need for restraint in the social media space and we need to ensure that rules of engagement emerge. Because if the rules of engagement do not emerge in the social media space, like you saw the rise of internet during your lifetime, you will see the demise of internet”, he further added.