Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, was assassinated by a member of Hindu fundamentalist organization R.S.S.
Diplomat: That’s right.
Journalist: And Mrs. Indira Gandhi was assassinated allegedly by her Sikh security guards.
Diplomat: Very Correct.
Journalist: How is it that there was no organized mob violence against other members of R.S.S. after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, but thousands of innocent Sikh men, women and children were brutally murdered, burnt alive and their properties looted after Indira Gandhi’s assassination?
Diplomat: Not in national interest to disclose.
* * *
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, after his record victory in Parliamentary elections, Rajiv Gandhi announced that Punjab problem would be a top priority with him.
Diplomat: That’s right.
Journalist: He also announced that minorities, particularly Sikhs, would be treated as equal citizens and there would be no discrimination against them.
Diplomat: Very Correct.
Journalist: Don’t you think that dismissing and arresting Senior Sikh Army, civil and police officers on trumped up charges would further complicate the problem and also confirm Sikh charge of discrimination against them?
Diplomat: Not in national interest to disclose.
* * *
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, as per official figures, there were 6000 Sikhs constituting 20% of the total constabulary in Delhi and out of 66 Station House
Officers 13 were Sikhs and out of 21 additional commissioners 4 were Sikhs.
Diplomat: That’s right.
Journalist: It has also been officially acknowledged that rioters and murders were armed with only hockey sticks, bamboos, iron bars and kerosene cans.
Diplomat: Very correct. ;
Journalist: How is it that Sikh constabulary and officers were withdrawn to the barracks when rioters were having heyday in ransacking Sikh houses and establishments and killing thousands of Sikhs? Don’t you think 6000 armed constabulary would have effectively checked a few hundred drunk mauraders?
Diplomat: Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 25, 1985
