Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today stepped into the raging debate on intolerance by condemning the murders of dissenters and some on the basis of what they eat and said the nation is deeply concerned at the "blatant violation" of the right to freedom of thought, belief and speech by some violent extremist groups.
He also had a word of caution for the government seeking internal and foreign investment saying "capital is likely to be frightened away by conflict" and that "there can be no free market without freedom".
Singh also spoke of dangers to the republic if there was no unity and respect for diversity, secularism and pluralism.
"The nation is deeply concerned at the recent tragic instances of blatant violation of the right to freedom of thought, belief, speech and expression in our country by some violent extremist groups.
"The assault or murder of thinkers for no more than disagreement with their views, or (of people) because of the food they eat, or their caste, cannot be justified on any grounds. Nor can the suppression of the right to dissent be allowed," he said in his inaugural address at a conference here ahead of the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru.
The two-day meet is being held against the backdrop of Dadri lynching, beef row and other incidents. The incidents have triggered off an award-returning spree by litterateurs, artistes and film-makers.
"No peace without freedom; No freedom without peace: Securing Nehru's legacy and India's future: Agenda for Action" is the theme of the conference organised by Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Contemporary Studies, New Delhi.
The senior Congress leader said that all the right- thinking people have condemned such incidents in the strongest term as an "assault on the nation".
