LUDHIANA: Prime Minister VP Singh on Thursday appealed to the people belonging to the northern state of Punjab to “give a chance to peace” so that his government could resolve the Punjab tangle expeditiously, PTI reports.
Addressing a big all-party “sadbhayana” (goodwill) rally here, he said even though the government was taking several steps to normalize the situation in the state, peace was a pre-requisite for the success of the process.
“If the state remains peaceful, 1 on confident that most of the problems will be solved automatically”, V P Singh said in obvious reference to the killings in the state.
The Prime Minister said a way could be definitely found if innocent killings stop immediately. The administration had also been issued instructions to ensure that no innocent person is either harassed or killed
He said nobody could solve the Punjab problem alone. It’s a difficult and a tedious problem. “If anybody thinks that a formula can be found for solving the Punjab Problem while sitting in the rooms in New Delhi then he is wrong, The formula can be found only in Punjab and with the help of the People of Punjab”, he said amidst a thunderous applause.
He said it has to be a national effort as it was a national problem and that all political Parties would have to join hands in this task.
The Prime Minister said that there was no magic by which the Punjab problem could be solved overnight. “What is needed is the Magic in hearts which can really change the situation”.
He mentioned the warm welcome given to him be thousands of People on his arrival in the city. And said he was going back to Delhi with even greater confidence this time.
V P Singh said certain politicians thought that the Punjab problem could be-solved through money but they proved to be wrong. “It’s heart’s warmth and the healing touch which can really cool down the things”, he said.
Singh said it was not important whether his government remained in power or not “but we will not allow the unity between the Hindus and the Sikhs to break’.
Things are changing in Punjab and I am confident that they will change for the better. After a dark night, dawn has to be there”, he said.
He said the government would formulate a plan for the rehabilitation of the victims of the 1984 riots, when several thousand Sikhs were killed in the country. He said the government would also assist the widows of those killed in the riots.
Regarding the Sikh army deserters, who rebelled after the Indian army entered the Golden Temple in 1984; Singh said there were not many of them. He said they could not be taken back in the army but the government would try to get them jobs in the public sector undertakings.
Our correspondent adds: In the absence of UAD (M) and the Congress, no effective consensus could be evolved at this rally attended by about 15,000 persons. Mann both received VP Singh and saw him off. VP was given a rousing and spontaneous reception by the people along the way. He often stopped to talk to the people. The meeting amounted to only a symbolic gesture and a revival of the all-party meetings held when Barnala was CM.
Interestingly Barnala and Badal shared a platform after many years. Barnala was booed by Badal supporters.
In his emotional speech VP hit out at those who had tried to solve the problem with money. Instead of the treasury we must open our hearts, he said.
VP Singh said as Punjab bleeds Kanyakumari weeps and even the snows of the Himalayas melt as if crying.
He made only a passing reference to the blast in which Gobind Ram was killed but did not name him.
Parkash Singh Badal gave a hard hitting speech. He was the first to attack the Congress by name. He showered praise on VP Singh’s attempts to solve the problem. In a partial modification of his earlier ambivalent position on what is called “terrorism” Badal said he was opposed to violence of any kind. He went on to seek general amnesty. Open the doors of jails, he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 19, 1990
