Ambassador: Very Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, the newly elected President of the BJP’s Punjab wing, Mr. Hit Abhilashi has called for an all-party consensus for solving the Punjab problem.

Ambassador: That’s right.

Journalist: At the same time he has criticized the proposed economic aid to the state and described it as an act of appeasement of the Sikhs.

Ambassador: Very correct.

 Journalist: How come Mr. Hit who himself is a Punjabi is objecting to economic aid! To the Punjab? Why do you think, Hindus of Punjab always identify themselves with the Hindu majority outside Punjab rather than with the interests of Punjab?

Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.

Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Indian government has chalked out a second operation Woodrose to hunt the Sikh youths in the border districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur.

Ambassador: That’s right.

Journalist: First operation Wood rose was undertaken immediately after operation Blue star and thousands of innocent Sikh youths were mercilessly butchered by the army in an effort to subjugate the Sikhs.

Ambassador: Very Correct.

Journalist; don’t you think Indian government will further alienate the Sikhs with such repressive measures and make them fight with greater determination for the freedom of their homeland, Khalistan?

Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.

Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Andhra Pradesh Congress (1) President Mr. J. Vengal Rao, who is a Minister in Rajiv’s Cabinet, has threatened picketing of State government offices if Telegu Desam Party did not end its protest agitation

Ambassador: That’s right.

Journalist: Telegu Desam Party is protesting against the police lathi charge on the State’s elected representatives in New Delhi where they had gone to present a memorandum to the Prime Minister.

Ambassador: Very Correct.

Journalist: Does it mean Indians can’t even make a peaceful protest when their elected legislators are beaten up by the police?

Ambassador: Not in sear interest to disclose.

Article extracted from this publication >> September 16, 1988