NEW DELHI: Dr Nelson Mandela Tuesday rejected a suggestion that by praising the implementation of the Mandal commission report, which advocated reservation in government jobs for “backward classes”, he was interfering in India’s internal affairs. Addressing a press conference here, Dr Mandela said the ANC believed in social justice, which meant equality of opportunities. “We believe that is the ideal for which Gandhi lived and worked,” he said.
Dr Mandela Monday told Prime Minister Singh that the step taken by him regarding the implementation of the Mandel commission report had “struck a sympathetic chord in South Africa.”
When a correspondent suggested that his observation amounted to interference in India’s internal affairs, Dr Mandela said “I have complete confidence in the ability of leadership of India to be able to settle their problems without interference from outside.”
“It is not our intention to interfere in the domestic affairs of India. I will go no further than this,” he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 26, 1990
