Rah: Daddy?
Raj: Yes, son.
Rah: Daddy, why does our government refuse to talk to the Akalis?
Raj: It is a matter of principle, son.
Rah: What is a principle, dad?
Raj: A principle, son, is a fundamental truth as basis of reasoning. We cannot sit and negotiate with the Akalis unless they condemn the terrorists. Our position is that the Akalis condone terrorism. Their position is not consistent with a desire to negotiate.
Rah: You mean they cannot have it both ways.
Raj: Exactly, son, you make it sound so simple.
Raj: And that is a matter of principle. Raj: That is what it is, son, a matter of principle. Rah: Daddy?
Raj: Goon, son.
Rah: Daddy, the Tamils have killed thousands in Sri Lanka, including hundreds of soldiers.
Raj: They are fighting pitched battles for their cause of freedom, son.
Rah: Daddy, are we pressuring the Government of Sri Lanka to negotiate with the Tamils?
Raj: We are advising the Government of Sri Lanka to negotiate with the Tamils.
Rah: On a matter of principle?
(Pause)
Rah: Daddy, you know what?
Raj: What, son?
Rah: My computer has calculated that you are 12 times as great as Nadir Shah.
Raj: You don’t make sense, son.
Rah: Nadir Shah presided over a massacre in Delhi for 6 hours before stopping it.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 10, 1985
