Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, anti-reservation agitation in Gujarat has taken a violent turn and Harijans are being mercilessly killed and their colonies are being increasingly subjected to arson and loot by High caste Hindus.
Ambassador: That’s right
Journalist: Police force is also indulging in terrorist activities burning, killing, looting and raping innocent victims. Police did not spare even journalists and reporters and beat them up as if they were stray dogs.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: How is it that even after all the violence the state government has not been dismissed and the state not declared a terrorist affected area? Why are there no special courts and no army control as in the case of Punjab, where the scale of violence was comparatively insignificant?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee is an elected body of Sikhs entrusted with the task of administering Sikh Gurdwaras in Punjab.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: This body has decided to demolish the Akal Takht that was repaired by the government in order to rebuild it in accordance with the Sikh traditions.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: How is it that the ruling Congress (I) has sharply reacted to this decision? Has the government developed legal rights over Akal Takht by first destroying and then repairing it?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Indian government is feeling incensed at the protest demonstrations by Sikhs living abroad against the virtual genocide of their brethren in India.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: It has threatened to severe all trade relations if foreign governments did not stop the Sikhs living in their countries from staging peaceful demonstrations.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: How is it that the Indian Government wants to exercise authority over the citizens of free countries? How does it expect Sovereign countries to obey the commands from Delhi? Does not your government know that in democratic countries, citizens enjoy some basic rights and cannot be treated as slaves?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose
Article extracted from this publication >> May 10, 1985
