Independent thinking and free expression in Indian universities "are now under threat", former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today alleged, targeting the Centre.

He expressed concern over growing neo-nationalist tendencies in India terming it an "extremely destructive" trend.

The Congress leader said the recent attempts to interfere with free expression of the student community in Hyderabad Central University and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were of particular concern and termed suppression of peaceful dissent as "inimical to learning" and undemocratic.

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Speaking at the bicentenary celebrations of the Presidency University in Kolkata, 84-year-old Singh said, "We are witnessing a rise in new nationalist tendencies responding to populism and directing hatred against backward classes and minorities."

"Regrettably, independent thinking and free expression in Indian universities are now under threat. Attempts to suppress peaceful dissent are not only inimical to learning but also undemocratic."

"True nationalism is found where students, citizens, are encouraged to think and speak freely where dissents are encouraged and not suppressed. It is only by constructive engagements we can truly build a stronger, more cohesive and sustaining democracy in our country," Singh said and also made a veiled reference to Hyderabad University student Rohit Vemula suicide issue.

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The former PM said that political interference in universities and in appointments in academic institutions was highly short-sighted.

"We must make very effort to protect the autonomy of our university and to foster the right of our students to express ideas," he said.

Amidst the growing debate over nationalism in the country, Singh advised youngsters to indulge in "constructive engagements". "True nationalism is when students are encouraged to think and speak freely, where dissent is encouraged and not suppressed. It is only by a constructive engagement can we truly build a stronger, more cohesive and sustaining democracy in our country," he said.

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Cautioning that such tendencies can be extremely destructive, the former Prime Minister stressed on the need to protect free speech, adding that independent thinking in India was under "threat" at present.

Singh said, "We are witnessing around the world a rise of nationalist tendencies, populism and hatred against backward classes and minorities in disregarding reason and rationality but these tendencies could be extremely destructive.

He emphasised, "We must protect India from this trend and universities have a vital role in this regard."

Singh, who wanted to be a teacher but got into politics by accident, said, "I believe that every university must give the freedom to pursue knowledge even where the knowledge may be at odds with established intellectual and social traditions. We must guard this freedom very zealously."

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(With inputs from: PTI)