Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said the suppression of dissent posed a “grave danger” for economic development. He also expressed concern about the violations of freedom of speech, thought, belief and expression by “some violent extremist groups”. Singh was speaking at a conference to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. Singh added that the prerequisite for innovation, entrepreneurship and competition is an open society.

Singh has joined the chorus of voices speaking up against intolerant actions and comments by various right-wing organisations, saying religion was a private matter, a particular religion should not become the basis of public policy in a secular republic like India. Singh’s comments come at a time when beef-eating has become a major national issue, with governments imposing bans on the consumption of the meat and the slaughter of cows, and people being killed after rumours of such actions. Singh also commented on the murder of rationalists and writers such as MM Kalburgi and Narendra Dabholkar, saying this could not be justified on any grounds.