'Silent Prime Minister’ Criticism: Manmohan Singh’s Response After Stepping Down

The former Prime Minister of India and a renowned architect of economic reforms, Manmohan Singh, passed away on Thursday night. He served as Prime Minister for two consecutive terms, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s development. Throughout his tenure, opposition parties frequently labeled him as the "Silent Prime Minister" or "Maun Muni" (Silent Sage), criticizing his perceived lack of vocal engagement. However, ignoring these critiques, Singh focused on shaping India's growth trajectory and made several critical decisions during his tenure.

In 2018, four years after stepping down as Prime Minister, Singh addressed the “Silent Prime Minister” criticism for the first time during the launch of his six-volume book, Changing India.

"I Was Not Afraid to Speak with the Press"

“They called me a Silent Prime Minister. These books, I hope, will clarify the facts. I was never afraid to speak to the press. I regularly engaged with the media. During every foreign visit, I held discussions with journalists, and upon returning, I participated in numerous press conferences. The outcomes of those discussions are also detailed in this book,” said Singh, responding firmly to the allegations.

Manmohan Singh held office as Prime Minister during the UPA government from 2004 to 2014. Before this, he served as Finance Minister in the cabinet of former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. Singh’s tenure as Finance Minister is remembered for the 1991 economic reforms that integrated India into the global market, pulling the nation out of an economic crisis and setting it on a path of sustained growth. His pivotal role in these reforms earned him recognition as the architect of modern India's economic transformation.