The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, on Thursday in response to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s speech in parliament criticizing the decline of “Nehru’s India” to the present, where Indian Members of Parliament face “criminal charges.” According to government sources, the statements were “raised” by officials working with Mr. Wong, who described Mr. Lee’s remarks as “uncalled for” and “inappropriate.”
Mr. Loong gave examples of the decline in political probity among elected officials in India and Israel today, referring to the United Kingdom’s “party gate” scandal over official parties during the COVID-19 pandemic, during a speech in Singapore’s Parliament on February 15 in response to a report by the Committee of Privileges into allegations of lying by members of the country’s largest opposition party, the Workers’ Party.
“While Nehru’s India has devolved into one in which, according to media sources, nearly half of Lok Sabha members face criminal charges, including rape and murder. Though it is also asserted that many of these claims are politically driven,” he added, emphasizing the importance of “preventing Singapore from following suit.”
Singapore High Commission summoned over “spoiling Nehru’s India” remarks
The Prime Minister of Singapore’s remarks sparked a rare spat between the two countries, which generally enjoy cordial relations. Earlier in the address, Mr. Lee lauded India’s late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Israel’s late Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion for their contributions to their countries’ independence, but said that following generations of leaders have allowed moral norms to “slip.”
“The leaders who battled for and gained independence were frequently extraordinary persons who possessed enormous courage, immense culture, and exceptional ability. They emerged from the crucible of fire as men and nations’ leaders.
They are the David Ben-Gurions, the Jawaharlal Nehru, and we have our own,” Mr. Lee explained, referring to the report’s findings, which resulted in Parliament voting to impose penalties on three Workers’ Party leaders, including MP Raeesah Khan, who was found guilty of lying in Parliament and fined approximately US$26,000, as well as to initiate possible criminal proceedings against Workers’ Party chairperson Pritam Singh and vice-chair Faisal Manap
While Mr. Lee did not name specific sources for his claim concerning Lok Sabha members, it is thought he was referring to a 2019 report by the Association of Democratic Reforms, which claimed that out of 539 candidates who won general elections that year, 233 (or 43%) faced criminal charges. However, official sources stated that it was not anticipated that a foreign head of state would use this material, which concerns India’s domestic politics, in a prepared Parliament speech.
Opposition politicians also expressed their views on the matter. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “continually disparages Nehru inside and outside Parliament,” whereas Singapore’s Prime Minister used PM Nehru “to defend how democracy should work during a parliamentary debate.”