India pushes back on Singapore PM's 'criminal, rapists' remarks about Indian MPs
Categories: FOREIGN COUNTRIES
The Indian government has raised the issue of Singapore's Prime Minister's comments in Parliament with Singapore's Envoy. The issue was brought up in response to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's comments regarding Lok Sabha (India's Parliament) members facing criminal charges. According to sources in Delhi, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's remarks were "uncalled for." Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, referenced the legacy of India's first prime minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, during a parliamentary debate on democracy in Singapore, saying that the country's foundation was set with high ideals and noble principles.PM Lee Hsien Loong, quoting Pt. Nehru, observed that most countries are created and begin with high aspirations and noble principles. But, more often than not, things change over decades and generations, well beyond the original leaders and the pioneer generation."Things start off with a passionate intensity. The leaders, who fought for and won independence, are often exceptional individuals of great courage, immense culture, and outstanding ability. They came through the crucible of fire and emerged as leaders of men and nations. They are the David Ben-Gurions, the Jawaharlal Nehrus, and we have our own too, "he said. "Many political systems today would be quite unrecognisable to their founding leaders. Ben-Gurion's Israel has morphed into one which can barely form a government, despite four general elections in two years. Meanwhile, a stream of senior politicians and officials in Israel face a litany of criminal charges, some have gone to jail. "While Nehru's India has become one where, according to media reports, almost half the MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, including charges of rape and murder. Though it is also said that many of these allegations are politically motivated," Lee said. Each successive generation, according to the 70-year-old prime minister, must maintain and expand on the system that Singapore has inherited.