Journalist; Mr. Ambassador, Rajiv Gandhi claimed in his television interview that his government was able to control worse than 1947 orgy of murder and plunder triggered off by the assassination of his mother within three days.
Diplomat: That’s right.
Journalist: In army soldiers of a company are duty bound to obey the orders of the company commander. They open and stop fire at his directions
Diplomat: Very correct.
Journalist: How is it that the timing and pattern of attacks against Sikhs in congress (1) ruled states were uniformly the same? Don’t you think there was a common commander directing the barbaric bloodshed?
Diplomat: Not in national interest to disclose.
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Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, on the Republic day parade guns dipping in ceremonial salute to the President and the Prime Minister were made to point to the opposite direction against the universally accepted practice of saluting to the high dignitaries of the state.
Diplomat: That’s right.
Journalist: Also the President came to attend the parade in a bulletproof car breaking 34 years old tradition of coming in an open chariot drawn by sixteen horses.
Diplomat: Very correct. Journalist: Don’t you think the fear psychosis forcing the democratically elected leaders to move about stealthily is the result of their own guilt complex?
Diplomat: Not in national interest to disclose.
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Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Rajiv Gandhi’s children have been advised to study at home. They would be allowed to go to their school only to take their annual examinations in March.
Diplomat: That’s right. Journalist: Their mother was extremely agitated and wanted the children to continue going to school, but she was overruled by the security staff.
Diplomat: Very correct.
Journalist: Don’t you think that Sikh children also need similar protection from the rampaging hoodlums? Why does not the government provide security to them also?
Diplomat: Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 8, 1985
