BERHAMPUR: Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi lashed out at his Pakistani counterpart Benazir Bhutiofor Interfering in it him internal affairs of India and “aiding” militant still active m Punjab, PTI reports.
Addressing an election meeting at Kanishi, in Orissa, Rajiv Gandhi said he “condemned” Benazir Bhutto’s statement with ‘tour might” as it involved the country’s internal matter and aimed at “influencing /our elections”.
We don’t want any external interference in our own matters and will not tolerate anything which will influence elections from Outside the country, “he told the meeting”
Wondering why opposition Janata Dal had not reacted to the Pakistan interference, Gandhi said they perhaps preferred to keep mum’ as Mrs, Bhutto’s statement Suited their purpose. that ever since the general elections have been announced certain countries like Pakistan, are making statements pertaining to our internal matters. This is possibly being done to divert the attention from their own problems.
He said, India cannot and will not tolerate interference in its domestic affairs. Unfortunately the government too has not taken a firm stand on the situation, he added.
Pakistan Premier Benazir Bhutto, Iran and Sandi Arabia had expressed “concern” over what she called “desecration of a Muslim religious place” following foundation laying ceremony for a temple near the controversial Babri Masjid Ram Janam Bhoomi site at Ayodhya (U.P.). By some Hindu fundamentalist groups PTI reports,
Hindus claim that the site is the place of birth of Rama where a Mosque was built by the first mughal emperor Babar.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 24, 1989
