'We have to face a choice between nationalism and anti-nationalism'
A revealing statement that Congress vice-president Jitendra Prasada -- who has lead the hawks in his party -- released today.
According to newspaper reports, some constituents
of the United Front are putting pressure that the Congress president's
request that the DMK be dropped from the government should not
be accepted. Such a stand is extremely unfortunate. We hope the
United Front core group and its steering committee would consider
the Congress suggestion and the grave implications of the findings
of the Jain Commission with the seriousness they deserve.
Since the last general election, the Congress party has done
all that lies in its power to ensure that the communal forces
are not able to take advantage of a fragmented mandate. It has
remained out of power to enable the non-Congress parties to form
and run the United Front government. This we have done because
of our comment to the principles of secularism and our anxiety to
ensure political stability.
The issues thrown up by the report
of the Jain Commission have grave implications. The assassination
of Shri Rajiv Gandhi, the young dynamic leader, former prime minister
and the Congress president, is no doubt, of utmost emotional
concern for the entire Indian people and for millions of Congressmen
and women.
Over and above that, we have to face squarely a choice
between nationalism and anti-nationalism. All attempts to fudge
the issues raised in the Commission's report will miserably fail.
Attempts by DMK to whip up Tamil chauvinism is a cynical attempt
to cover up its own misdeeds.
The Government of India, under the leadership of Smt Indira Gandhi
and Shri Rajiv Gandhi, extended support to Sri Lankan Tamils at
a time when they were victims of widespread violence and brutal
killings. Thousands of our Tamil brothers and sisters from the
island were forced to take shelter in India. The Congress party
is proud that the government led by its illustrious leaders came
to their succour and extended all possible support to help them
survive the brutal onslaughts.
However, in keeping with India's
principled position the governments headed by Smt Indira Gandhi
and Shri Rajiv Gandhi made it absolutely clear that the solution
to the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka must be found within the framework of Sri Lanka's unity. Throughout the Government of India
consistently opposed the demand for Eelam. It is only when the
LTTE leader Shri Prabhakaran refused to work within these parameters
that the Government of India had to make it abundantly clear that
the Indian soil would not be allowed to be used for undermining
the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka.
The Jain Commission's report has made it absolutely clear that
the DMK and its leaders Shri Karunanidhi acted against this national
policy. They extended support to LTTE when it was engaged in waging
a war against the Indian State and against the IPKF. In fact they
encouraged the LTTE which was engaging in killing and liquidating.
other Tamil groups which were not ready to toe its line. The action
amounted to support to anti-national activities of LTTE.
The issue that confronts us today is whether political
parties in India will support actions which are against the national
interest. Will they support activities of a political party which
are against accepted national policy? Will they support a party
which sought to divide the Tamils and was an accomplice in activities
aimed at threatening the unity and integrity of the entire country?
Will they support the activities which help those who are engaging
in carrying on a war against the Indian armed forces?
The Congress
appeals to all political parties to weigh these issues seriously.
It will be unfortunate if responsible sections of the Indian political
spectrum would succumb to the temptation of glossing over such
inimical acts and seek to condone them. The temptation to use
the present occasion to create confusion about the issue and divert
attention by training their guns against the Congress in a bid
to derive some political advantage is bound to fail. The Congress
has full faith in the patriotic commitments or the Indian people
and is confident that they will see through such cynical game.
The Congress urges all political parties to treat these issues
which have risen from the Jain Commission's findings with the national
interest uppermost in view and to rise above partisan stand and
petty anti-Congressism. India has always remained united where
national interests are concerned. We hope India's political parties
will act with the same spirit at this juncture.
The United Front was formed after the election with
a view to keep the BJP out of power. Even though some unfortunate
actions of some of the constituents of the United Front have not
helped in the fight against communal forces the stand that the UF
constituents take today will test the earnestness of their commitment
to the principles of secularism and the priority they accord to
these ideals.
By sticking to support the DMK after the findings
of the Jain Commission, the UF constituents will lay themselves
bare to the charge that for them it is more important to stick
together for power and are motivated merely by blind anti-Congressism.
We urge all the constituents of the UF therefore to deeply
consider these issues.
The Congress party does not wish to plunge the country
into another election. However, the Congress is not afraid of
going to the people if it becomes absolutely necessary. The Congress
cannot compromise where national interests are concerned for fear
of elections because it is confident that the people will give
a sagacious and patriotic verdict.
The Congress party has no wishes to grab power. Notwithstanding
the fact that it was the second largest party in the Lok Sabha,
it facilitated the formation of the United Front government. The
Congress is ready to facilitate that the country continues to
be governed by a non-BJP, non-DMK government provided its stands
and principles do not compromise on national interests and does
not violate the broad policies and programmes to which the Congress
is committed.
Some newspaper report says that the BJP claims that
some Congress MPs will cross over and support the formation of
a government by it. This game will miserably fail. Not one MP can
desert the party on such an important issue which touches deeply
the heart of every single Congress worker. Anyone who does so
will invite the wrath of Congress workers all over the country.
We are completely united under the leadership of the president Shri
Sitaram Kesri who has steered the party in a most difficult period
and injected a new enthusiasm amongst the Congress workers. In
a democratic party like the Congress, shades of differences will continue
to be expressed on various issues. And this is the sign of the
health of the party.
The Congress president has taken all decisions
with the widest possible consultations and set up an inspiring
example of collective decision-making in the party. By trying
to indulge in the nefarious game of defections the BJP will further
expose its true colours.
We urge all political parties to fashion their response
to the Jain Commission's findings with the national interest in view.
We urge the United Front constituents to take a decision on the
Congress request in the light of the basic considerations which
lead to the formation of the UF after the elections -- i e to contain
and push back the growth of communal forces. If they refuse to
do so, the Congress will not hesitate to go to the people, but
the responsibility for such an eventuality and its consequences
will rest squarely on the UF constituents.
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