Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, both rightist and leftist parties of India have rallied to the support of Punjab Chief Minister, Surjit Singh Barnala in a bid to neutralize his excommunication by the Sikh High Priests.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: These parties are dead set against Congress (I) which is ruling Punjab through its puppet Surjit Singh Barnala, and they did not raise any objection when Barnala had asked the former Sikh High Priests to being all Akali Dal factions under his banner. Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist; Does it mean, whatever the outward political garb, a Hindu will never ever tolerate the emergence of a truly representative Sikh leadership? Why can’t these so called leftist and rightist parties compel Delhi rulers to be reasonable towards Sikhs rather than trying to support a tottering puppet like Barnala? Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
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Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, the Janata Party Member of Parliament, Mr. Sayed Shahabuddin is being accused of antinational activities for calling upon the Muslims of India to boycott Republic Day celebrations.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: Almost all the Indian press including magazines like India Today came down heavily on Mr. Shahabuddin and even suggested that the boycott call was actually a deep-rooted conspiracy to divide Hindus and Muslims.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Why was there no protest by the Indian press when the Babari Mosque was converted into a Hindu temple through subverting judicial norms? Is there any course other than innocent boycott open to an individual or a community to seek justice when constitution itself is subverted by those who are supposed to uphold it?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
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Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, a fierce controversy has arisen out of Pakistan Scientist, Dr. Adul Qadar Khan’s alleged claim that Pakistan had succeeded in developing an atom bomb.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: Dr. Khan has vehemently denied the statement and Pakistan Prime Minister, Mr. Junejo has called it a propaganda stunt to torpedo American aid to Pakistan.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Do you think India will accept Pakistan’s explanation and refrain from developing the atom bomb? Will it feel content if America were to stop aid to Pakistan?
Ambassador. Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 6, 1987
