NEW DELHI: Prime Minister V.P. Singh asked the Indian people to be mentally prepared for any eventuality in view of dangers of armed infiltration from across the border and asserted that no part of the country would be allowed to secede.
In his maiden Independence Day address from the remparts of the historic Red Fort in old Delhi, Singh said “there is a need to move. Unitedly and remain mentally prepared when dangers loomed large due to border violations and inflow of weapons”.
In an indirect reference to Pakistan’s activities on the borders, the prime minister said “‘it is better to die fighting on the borders than to helplessly watch the violation of the borders from the capital”.
Singh said one of the prime responsibilities of the present generation was to keep the tricolor flying high.
In his 75minute address, the prime minister told the people of Kashmir and Punjab states not to fall prey to the propaganda carried ‘out from across the borders and said the government would use all the might at its command to stamp ‘out secessionist elements. If we have made mistakes, we are prepared to correct them. But there cannot be any compromise with separatist elements”, he said.
‘The prime minister asserted that there could be no compromise with nation’s unity and integrity. “The time has come to tide as to who is with India and who is not”.
In Punjab, he said, the atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion had been removed but stepped up violence had been causing concern.
The people of Punjab, Singh said, were opposed to separatism, and warned the militants we cannot compromise with those who are not with India”.
On Babri Masjid Ram Janam Bhoomi issue, he said government was striving hard to find an amicable solution but if the efforts fail government would abide by the court verdict.
He expressed concern at developments in the Gulf and said India would not support violence in any part of the world. Neither would it support use of armed forces.
The prime minister said the government had decided to formulate a national agricultural policy this year on the lines of the industrial policy.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 24, 1990
