‘Climate of fear harmful to India’s democracy’
Amartya Sen laments Modi govt has not done enough to improve health sector
“The climate of fear is detrimental to Indian democracy,” Nobel laureate Amartya Sen said, alleging that the university academics are being penalised for criticising the government.
The government has executive power, but it should not impair the autonomy of universities, Prof Sen said at the launch of his book, titled Social Choice and Social Welfare, here on Tuesday.
The 83-year-old economist also lamented that the Narendra Modi-led government has not done enough to improve health sector in the country.
He said the “pursuit of equality” has increasingly taken a backseat in policymaking in India.
“The government has executive power. But it has an obligation not to see itself as whole of the state. For example, the money for state universities come from the states. The fact that the money on universities spent by the government it does not mean that the government will take crucial decisions in running of the universities,” he said.
Prof Sen said penalties are being imposed on teachers for criticising the government’s priorities. “It will have a far-reaching impact on the value of liberty in contemporary India,” he said.
Observing that next-door neighbour China spends far more than India in the health sector, Mr Sen said, “I don’t have any hope of present government doing enough for improving health sector in India.”
”The BJP-led NDA government should not be in illusion that it is speaking on behalf of the majority of Indians,” Prof Sen said.
“The BJP only got 31 per cent vote share in the last Lok Sabha election. Even with its allies, it got only 39 per cent votes,” the Nobel laureate pointed out.