Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, India is a multiracial, multi-lingual and multi religions country.
Diplomat: That’s right.
Journalist; and boasts of a unique unity in diversity.
Diplomat: Very correct.
Journalist: How is it that its government recognizes and promotes only Hindi and Hinduism? Don’t you think unity is being achieved by destroying diversity?
Diplomat: Not in national interest to disclose.
* *
Journalist; Mr. Ambassador, Muslims and Sikhs are small minorities being 12% and 2% respectively of the total Indian population.
Diplomat: That’s right.
Journalist: But in Kashmir Muslims are majorities and in Punjab Sikhs are majorities.
Diplomat: Very correct.
Journalist: How is it that both Kashmir and Punjab are under Army Occupation even though there have been no communal riots in these two states? Why is it that in States with overwhelming Hindu population, Muslim and Sikh minorities are brutally butchered by frenzied mobs and yet army is not deployed in those States; and orgy suspects are promptly bailed out?
Diplomat: Not in national interest to disclose.
* * *
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Indian Law forbids forcible conversion to another religion.
Diplomat: That’s right.
Journalist: R.S.S. Chief Balasaheb Deoras is on record to have said, ‘“Time has come for Indian Sikhs, Muslims and Christians to come back to the Hindu folder
Diplomat: Very correct.
Journalist: How is it that no action has been taken against either those police officers who forced the Sikhs to cut their hair and shave their beards or against Balasaheb Deoras for indirectly threatening the minorities?
Diplomat: Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 22, 1985
