From: rs6x+@andrew.cmu.edu (Ranjith Ravindiran Suresh)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.tamil
Subject: Indian Prime Ministe's address:
Date: 13 Dec 92 18:09:54 GMT
Article-I.D.: andrew.wf=0YGS00WBM45PW5U
Organization: Senior, Civil Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA


* Prime Minister's Address to the Nation, Sunday Dec 6, 1992
 
      [Source: India's Permanent Mission at the United Nations - New York]
 
Fellow Countrymen:
 
I am speaking to you this evening under great threat that has been
posed to the institutions, principles and ideals on which the
constitutional structure of our republic has been built. During the
struggle for freedom under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, we have
promised to ourself an India, free of exploitation, hunger and
pestilence, recognizing the right of every citizen to the fruits of
democracy and also has right to practice and preach his own religion
without any interference, this all was enshrined in our constitution
and the founding fathers of our country sanctified this in the written
constitution of India. In the country of the size and diversity like of
ours, it is only the concern and fear for the sensibilities of each
other which can ensure the smooth functioning of the institutions that
we have created. This is the only way to maintain peace and harmony
among the people of India. Whatever may be our differences on
political, social, economic issues, they have to be acted upon keeping
this wider concept in view. The delicate fabric of our nation woven
around democracy and secularism is the only anchor sheeth for our
country's existence.
        The country has witnessed in the last few years an attempt by
certain political parties, who have in pursuit of their power not been
able to exercise their strength and keep their actions within the
limitations of propriety, law and the demands of national integration.
They have used the differences involved in and around the Ram
Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute to excite communal passions and
utilise the same for political purposes. We have pleaded with the, we
have made our efforts to bring different people together in an effort
to resolve this matter amicably through peaceful negotiations. We have
gone to the fullest extent to create an atmosphere in the country which
will be conducive to this effort. We have posed to all the parties to
the dispute ways and means to get a judicial determination to this
problem. I see no other way in a democratic polity to determine matters
on which strong views are held on sides. I have personally done
whatever I could to help reach a negotiated settlement or a judicial
determination to this issue, and all democratic and secular forces have
helped in this effort. But I am sad to to state that the BJP-VHP
combine has not only failed to respond to my efforts but, as a matter
of fact gone about deliberately to not only part my efforts, but also
to mislead the nation about my intentions. What has happend today in
Ayodhya, where the Ram Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid structure has been
demolished, is a matter of shame and concern for all Indians. Each and
every one of us want, and I have stated so repeatedly that we must have
a grand temple to lord Rama built on Ayodhya. As a matter of fact,
people of all faiths in India are prepared to actively help in this.
The BJP-VHP combine have, however, continued to pursue a different line
because they felt that this is the only root that will carry them to
the seats of power. This is a betrayal of the nation and a
confrontation with all that is sacred to all Indian and a legacy which
we have all inherited and is a part of our national treasure. A great
affront has been caused to this. As the first servant as the people of
India, it is not only my duty but also my mandate to ensure that all
such communal forces who are out to confront the nation itself must be
met resolutely. We will go to any extent to preserve and protect
secularism and the democratic credentials of our nation. In this
onerous task, I seek the support and blessings of all the citizen of
this country. I would like to say very clearly that we shall no longer
suffer the machiavellian tactics of the communal forces of this
country. I appeal to all these misguided people who are assembled at
Ayodhya on the inspiration of persons who do not have the well being of
the national at heart, to disperse peacefully and let the law of the
land have full sway there. It is to achieve this that my government has
dismissed the government of U.P headed by Mr.Kalyan Singh, which has
totally failed in its primary duty, to which they have pledged
themselves, time and again, to protect the structure. I would like to
sound a note of warning to every one who has tried to help such
elements, who have put the peace and tranquility of the nation in
jeopardy that we shall not spare any action against them, in the
interest of the nation.
 
I appeal to all of you to maintain calm, peace and harmony at this grave
moment of crisis. We have faced many such situations in the past and have
overcome them. We shall do this again with firm determination and conviction
in the rightness of our path.
 
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.tamil