Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi hit out at his Sri Lankan counterpart, R. Premadasa for comprising the situation in Jaffna with that of the Punjab.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: “We are not bombing Punjab, we are not strafing Punjab as they are doing in Jaffna”, argued Gandhi.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Why did lie not speak the truth and say that whereas Sri Lankan Army is battling with Tamil guerrillas trained and armed by the Indian government, the unarmed Sikhs in Punjab are being massacred in cold blood by the Security Forces for waging a peaceful struggle against injustice and oppression?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
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Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, it has been alleged that an Indo Afghan axis is in the making to exert pressure on Pakistan over the future of Afghanistan.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: It is also alleged that India has completely sealed its borders with Pakistan all along the Punjab and Kashmir front to overawe Pakistan.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Is it Soviet strategy or Hindu fascism that makes India adopt this Big Brother attitude?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
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Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Security Forces again raided the Golden Temple, Amritsar, and arrested more than two hundred Sikhs on June 24, 1987.
Ambassador. That’s right.
Journalist: The raid was reportedly made to prevent Sikhs from holding a meeting in the complex.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Does it mean Sikhs can’t even hold a peaceful meeting in their religious shrines? Don’t you think Rajiv is pushing Sikhs to a point of no return?
Ambassador. Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 3, 1987
