NEW DELHI: The Janata Dal Government which fell two years ago on the Mandal-Mandir issues has been vindicated on both these counts by the Supreme Court declared the former Prime Minister V.P. Singh.

Singh was speaking at a Meet The Press program organized by the Press Club on Noy.28.

He reminded the journalists how he was singled out for criticism over his uncompromising stand on the Mandal Commission recommendations and the construction of mandir on disputed land in Ayodhya.

The Supreme Court had reiterated his position on both these issues. Singh said that if the accident of birth could hamper a person’s progress in society it naturally followed that his birth should also be taken into account while providing concessions. And the Supreme Court has upheld this premise.

Stressing upon the importance of Mandal Singh claimed that the three main objectives of the Indian State were national consolidation democratization and social justice.

National consolidation cannot be achieved as long as one section of the society rises in socioeconomic and political fields after stepping on the heads of others.

Similarly democracy does not merely mean a right to vote once in five years.

It means total participation by all sections in all the important spheres of governing.

He did not collaborate further on the question of social justice since according to him it did not require any further elaboration.

Singh said that for him and his party reservation issue was a commitment and not merely a political strategy.

On the issue of Ram Janma Bhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute he said that his party was for implementing the court order and it would provide all possible support to the Government in its endeavor to implement court order.

Asked about the difference between the situation in his time and now Singh retorted that it was for the people to judge. “That time we were in the Government and we sought the support of the Congress and other secular parties. But many of them refused to support us. Today they need our support on the same issue and we have provided it readily” he pointed out.

Article extracted from this publication >> December 11, 1992