Rahul: Daddy?
Rajiv: Yes, son.
Rahul: Daddy, grandma—.
Rajiv: May she rest in peace.
Rahul: —-liberated Bangladesh.
Rajiv: Yes, son, it was a great victory for India. We are so proud of it.
Rahul: Daddy?
Rajiv: Goon, son.
Rahul: What about the Tamils?
Rajiv: What about them, son?
Rahul: What do they want in Sri Lanka, daddy?
Rajiv: They are fighting for their right of self-determination, son.
Rahul: What is that, daddy?
Rajiv: They want to be independent, son.
Rahul: Is that why we are helping them, daddy?
Rajiv: Yes, son, they deserve our support and it is the right thing for us to do.
Rahul: Because we want Tamil votes in the Indian elections, daddy?
Rajiv: Not exactly, son. We are helping the Tamils in Sri Lanka because we have always supported people’s right to self-determination.
Rahul: Like in Bangladesh, daddy?
Rajiv: Exactly, son, just like in Bangladesh.
Rahul: Daddy?
Rajiv: What is it son?
Rahul: What about Punjab?
Rajiv: Dark clouds have gathered over Punjab, son. Foreign powers are conspiring to break Punjab away from the rest of our motherland.
Rahul: Is that bad, daddy?
Rajiv: Yes, son, it is like trying to break an arm off your body.
Rahul: Sword arm, daddy?
Rajiv: Exactly, son.
Rahul: Daddy, what about the Tamils?
Rajiv: I have already told you, son.
Rahul: Are they trying to break up Sri Lanka’s arm?
Rajiv: But that is different, son.
Rahul: Daddy, what about Bangladesh?
Rajiv: Grandma will get you for that, Rahul.
Rahul: I am sorry, dad. Rajiv: It’s O.K. son.
Rahul: Daddy, I still love you, I think.
Rajiv: I love you too son.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 18, 1985
