KANPUR: Former president of the Bharatiya Janata Party L K Advani Thursday cautioned the Indian government against entering into negotiations with Punjab militants and their supporters.
Talking to reporters here he said it was “wrong improper and dangerous” to negotiate with Simranjit Singh Mann who had advocated self-determination for the state of Punjab.
He said militancy in Punjab had reached such a level that even the national anthem had been restricted in schools and colleges and no cheques and drafts were accepted by banks unless they were written in the local Gurmukhi script.
He welcomed the step to send the army in the border areas of the state and suggested a security zone on Punjab border.
Advani supported the governments stand on the dismissal of Bihar governor Mohd Yunus Salim for his comments on the imposition of president’s rule in Tamil Nadu. He said the governor should not criticize the president.
Advani hoped that the Ram Temple in Ayodhya would be constructed before the next general elections. If it was not done it would definitely have its impact on the polls he added.
Advani said the announcement of elections depended on the Congress-I and the party would lose its image if it delayed the elections.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 22, 1991
