Journalist: Mr. Ambassador Governors rule in Jammu and Kashmir has been converted into Presidents rule on the recommendation of Governor Jag Mohan Jammu and Kashmir will now be ruled for the next six months by the President through the Governor and not directly by the Governor as laid down in State Constitution and endorsed by Article 370 of the Constitution.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: This in effect means virtual abrogation of Article 370 that guarantees special status for Jammu and Kashmir. The Presidential order has reduced J & K to the status of other Indian states.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: How come Delhi rulers have given more powers to Mizoram but is cutting down the powers of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir? Is it because Hindus are in minority in these two States?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador Rajiv Gandhi has accused Pakistan of bungling in the Pan Am hijacking at the Karachi airport. He also charged Karachi with encouraging hijackers from India by supplying arms to them.
Ambassador: That’s right
Journalist: He has also accused Sri Lankan government of delaying tactics in giving complete autonomy to the Tamil guerrillas who are engaged in a violent confrontation with Sri Lanka and are demanding complete independence.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: How come Rajiv is refusing to solve the Sikh problem and is opposed to autonomy for Sikhs but wants Sri Lanka to grant autonomy to Hindu Tamils? Do you think he can continue deceiving the world with such contradictory stands?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador Curfew has been clamped in parts of Delhi following Hindu Muslim riots in which one person was killed.
Ambassador: That’s right
Journalist: Curfew was also clamped in Delhi last month when Hindu rioters had attacked and burnt Sikh business establishments and houses.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: How is it that Hindus are attacking minorities as if minorities had no rights in India? Does it mean after over 1200 years of continuous slavery unexpected and undeserved power has turned the head of the Hindu rulers?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 12, 1986
