Prime Minister Narsimha Rao has asserted that ke will lead the Congress into the 1996 elections and stood by his actions in the racial disturbances at Bombay. The racial riots left behind hundreds of dead Muslims while thousands fled the city terrified by the orgies of violence inflicted on them by communal Hindus.
In an interview with the editor of London based “The Observer” Rao defended his policy of not banning the BJP, Shiv Sena and Mustim League till yet. When asked whether the riots were a threat to the Secular State he felt that there was no permanent threat to secularism. He was of the opinion that the real problem facing the country was the economy which affected everyone’s life.
Defends inaction: Rao has been accused of inaction in Bombay not’s where for nine days the Shiv Sena and its allies had a field day slaughtering the Muslims in a systematic manner, During the violence state police not only failed to assist the hapless victims but actually abetted in the crimes. When confronted with the allegations of failing to provide a decisive leadership in the crisis, Rao said that if he had sent in the Armed Forces earlier, it would have violated the Constitution, Law and order being a State subject there was no choice but to let the State Police handle the disturbances. The Central Govt could step in, only when requested by the state. He soothed the Muslim community with the message that the communal riots were an aberration that happens from time to time. “You are entitled to as much protection as anyone else and you must get it, you are our brothers.” His party men specially heavy weight Arjun Singh, former HRD minister have accused Rao of playing a ‘passive role’ a policy of ‘paralysis’ and ‘drift’ in the country’s crisis, Destruction of Masque: When the Editor of “The Observer’ questioned Rao about his failure to save the Babri Masjid from destruction in December last, the PM replied that he had “reviewed the matter time and again but I don’t believe the Central Govt could have done more to prevent it, We did act, it was too late, but had we acted earlier it would have been a breach of the constitution. Tam noticing this as an alibi and of course if you’re a victim suffering an attack on your home, you don’t care if its central or local forces who protect you. But law and order is primarily a state matter. We are not in charge. We can help, we can send reinforcements to assist the civil power but the ultimate responsibility is The Observer says that “the received wisdom in Delhi is that he (Rao) cannot lead the Congress in the next elections, due in the middle of 1996 and that one of his younger challengers Arjun Singh, S.B.Chavan or Sharad Pawar will have claimed the succession.” But Rao dismissed any threats to his leadership and insists that he will lead the Congress in the next elections, (The Observer)
Article extracted from this publication >> February 12, 1993
