New Delhi:Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday asked the country to reflect on “disturbing” and “unsavoury” trends of growing intolerance, communal polarisation and mob lynching.

In his speech at a function where former West Bengal governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi was presented with the 24th Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavna award, Dr Singh said: “Another cause for solemn reflection today is some disturbing trend that our country has been witnessing over the past few years. These unsavoury trends of growing intolerance, communal polarisation, growing intolerance, violent crimes propelled by hatred of certain groups and of mobs taking the law into their own hand can only harm the national interest of our country.”

“They are anathema to the promotion of peace, national integration and communal harmony, which are cherished objectives enshrined in out magnificent constitutions. All of us need to pause and reflect on how we can go together and contribute to arresting these trends,” he added.

Speaking on the same lines, former Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi said, “Opening of the economy and closing of minds is a dangerous mix.”

The award instituted in 1992 to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Quit India movement is presented on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi. The award is decided upon by an advisory committee, consisting of fewer than seven and not more than eleven eminent persons chosen by the Congress president.

Mr Gandhi a former civil servant was the governor of West Bengal and was also the Vice Presidential candidate of the united Opposition last year.