Dr Manmohan Singh: Unknown Stories & Controversies

Here are a few unknown stories of Dr Manmohan Singh and the controversies during his tenure as PM.

CORRECTION: Dr Manmohan Singh was never the RBI Governor. It is incorrectly mentioned in the video. 

Recently, we released a video on the passing of India’s former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh. If you missed it, watch it here on this link: ISH News Link: https://youtu.be/CHhUZNHg_Zs

While many are familiar with Manmohan Singh’s biography, here are some lesser-known stories that showcase his character and contributions.

Key Stories About Manmohan Singh:

1. Correcting Indira Gandhi's Speech (1980):
As Indira Gandhi prepared to address Parliament, Manmohan Singh, her financial advisor, noticed a factual error regarding India’s foreign exchange reserves. He politely pointed out the mistake, helping to avoid a potential crisis. Gandhi respected his honesty and made the necessary revisions.

2. Rejection of Nehru’s Offer (1962):

In 1962, India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, offered Singh a position in his government. Singh declined, choosing to continue his academic career at Punjab University.

3. Childhood Incident with Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1945):

At just 13 years old, Manmohan Singh accidentally hit Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, with a hockey ball while playing in Lahore. Although Singh never mentioned Jinnah’s reaction, the incident adds a lighter side to his reserved personality.

4. Providing Homes to Kashmiri Pandits (2011):

Manmohan Singh’s government helped displaced Kashmiri Pandits by constructing a township in Jammu, providing over 4,200 flats. Singh’s selfless work was never publicized, reflecting his quiet approach to governance.

Controversies:

1. Rahul Gandhi’s Public Criticism (2013):

When Rahul Gandhi criticized a key government decision, it embarrassed Manmohan Singh and weakened his position. Singh chose not to resign, despite feeling deeply hurt.

2. Debunking Rajiv Gandhi’s Inflation Promise:
Rajiv Gandhi promised to reduce inflation in 100 days. However, as Finance Minister, Manmohan Singh stated it wasn’t realistic due to the economic crisis. This upset many Congress members, but Singh’s statement reflected the harsh reality India faced.

3. "Muslims First" Statement (2006):
Singh's comment that minorities, especially Muslims, should have the first right to national resources sparked significant controversy, with critics from across the political spectrum.

Tributes from Pakistan:

When Manmohan Singh passed away, his childhood friend Altaf Hussain from the Pakistani village of Gah expressed his sadness. Hussain, a teacher at the school where Singh studied, remembered calling him "Mohna" as a child, showing the enduring personal connection beyond borders.

Scams During His Tenure:

While Singh is credited for saving India’s economy, his tenure saw several major scams, including:

  • Coal Block allocation

  • Commonwealth Games

  • 2G Telecom

  • Saradha Chit Fund

  • TyLavasa Township Scam

  • INX Media Case

  • Aircel-Maxis

  • Antrix-Devas Deal

  • Land for Jobs

  • IPL Scam

  • Adarsh Housing Society Scam

  • Augusta Westland helicopter scam

  • J&K Cricket Association

  • The Embraer Deal

  • Pilatus Basic Trainer Aircraft

  • Hawk Aircraft Purchase

Despite these controversies, Manmohan Singh remains remembered for his economic leadership during critical times. If you want to know more and would like us to make a video about it, let us know in the comments!

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