Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Indian press has mounted a concerted attack on Rajiv Gandhi’s capability to steer India out of the political and economic mess in which his mother left the country.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist : He is now being criticized for taking certain steps which were hailed by the same press as daring departure from Indira Gandhi’s electoral politics and dilatory tactics.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Don’t you think Hindu fundamentalist tycoons who own most of the press has created this glamour to scare Rajiv? Is it not an attempt to force Rajiv to deal sternly with Sikhs if he wants to save Haryana and U.P. from falling in the opposition lap? How is it Indian Press regards Punjab accord and income tax raids as the major blunders of Rajiv?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, the nominated member of India’s upper house (Rajya Sabla), Mr. Khushwant Singh, had stated in his interview with India Today that Indira Gandhi committed the worst folly of her life in attacking the Golden Temple.
Ambassador : That’s right.
Journalist : He had even gone to the extent of saying that “no self-respecting Sikh could now hold negotiations with her”.
Ambassador : Very correct.
Journalist : How is it that the same Khushwant Singh in his latest speech in the parliament asked the Akali Government in Punjab to use force to throw out Damdami Taksal and A.I.S.S.F. sewadars (volunteers) from the Golden Temple? What motive has he in recommending to Barnala the folly of Indira Gandhi? Will this phoney Sikh ever show a modicum of consistency?
Ambassador : Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist : Mr. Ambassador, Indian Government is pressurising Britain to deport nearly 30 Sikhs because there are some vague charges of criminal conspiracies against them. Indian Government is particularly after S. Jaswant Singh Thekedar, who they allege offered to kill Rajiv if all the Sikhs asked him to do so,
Ambassador : That’s right.
Journalist : Mr. Thekedar, however, has denied the charge and has categorically stated that he has been misquoted.
Ambassador : Very correct.
Journalist : Will the Indian Government agree to the deportation of H.L.K.L. Bhagat and Jagdish Tytler for trial by an International Court for their direct involvement in the genocide let loose against Sikhs in November, 1984 if Sikhs were to arrange such a trial?
Ambassador : Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 21, 1986
