Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra State informed the State Assembly that a criminal case has been registered against the Shiv Sena Chief, BAL Thackery for his recent call to boycott Sikhs.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: He, however, said that the Government will not make a hero out of him by resorting to any drastic action against him.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Do you think by keeping Sikh leaders behind the bars, the government is making heroes out of them? If not, then, why this double standard?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan’s sister in law has announced her decision to undertake a peace mission to Punjab.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist. Sometimes back film actor turned politician, Mr. Sunil Dutt also undertook a “padyatra’ (foot march) to Punjab in search of peace but to no avail.
Ambassador. Very correct.
Journalist: Why can’t these well-meaning lovers of peace go to the Prime Minister’s residence and urge him to end the bloodshed of innocent Sikhs? Why can’t they tell him to dismiss and prosecute his cabinet colleagues responsible for anti-Sikh riots in November, 1984?
Ambassador; Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, according to press reports Punjab Governor, S.S. Ray, and the Police Chief, Ribeiro pleaded with the Prime Minister not to impose emergency in the Punjab.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: They reportedly told him that emergency would not in any way improve the situation nor would it stop the freedom fighters from carrying out their missions.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Don’t you think the real reason for not immediately imposing emergency is to create new dissentions among the Sikhs?
Ambassador. Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 15, 1988
