Manmohan Singh, Hamid Ansari and Kapil Sibal during the launch of Sibal’s book Shades of Truth, in New Delhi on Friday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Former prime minister Manmohan Singh Friday accused the Modi government of “slowly but surely” undermining the values that a democratic polity should fiercely protect and called for a meaningful national debate on it as also the failure of ruling dispensation in fulfilling its promises made.

Releasing a book titled Shades of Truth by former union minister and Congress leader Kapil Sibal, he hoped this is the beginning of the national debate that everyone needs.

In a scathing indictment of the Modi dispensation, Singh said key national institutions vital for good governance are experiencing unprecedented new strains, India’s neighbourhood is far less secured than it was in 2014 and its ties with neighbours deteriorated in the last four years.

“The Modi government has slowly but surely undermined the values that any democratic polity should fiercely protect. Important national institutions vital for good governance are experiencing unprecedented new strains. Our neighbourhood is far less secured than it was in 2014. Our relations with neighbours have deteriorated in the last four years. Modi government has failed to address issues relating to a creative use of science and technology for national transformation,” former Prime Minister said.