India will not act in anger : PM
From Four Special Correspondent, New Delhi Oct. 23.—The Prime Minister told the nation today in a broadcast that the country has facing anger today but “India should not speak or act in anger or in haste.” It has time for the Indian defence forces and the people as well to remain alert, she said.
She was addressing the nation through AIR at 8-30 p.m. about 12 hours before her departure for a 20-day tour of six countries in Western Europe and the USA, in the perspective of war threats from Pakistan and the burden of refugees from Bangladesh.
Mrs. Gandhi said she might be away from the country but “my thoughts will be with you here in India. One cannot leave with a light heart at such a moment. Our country is facing danger.”
The Prime Minister appealed to all political parties “to stand with us.” “We need unity and discipline”, she said.
Mrs. Gandhi spoke of her confidence in the “solidarity and the sense of responsibility of the Indian people”, and asked all to “stand and work together, devoting all our strength to one cause the freedom and integrity of our nation”.
She said in her broadcast:
“Tomorrow morning I leave on a tour of some foreign countries. I want to tell you that, however, far I might be, my thoughts will be with you here in India. One cannot leave with a light heart at such a moment. Our country is facing danger. Yet after much thought I decided to undertake the journey. The invitations were of longstanding and it seemed important in the present situation to meet leaders of other countries for an exchange of views and to put to them the reality of our situation.
“The defence of our national interest and indeed the solution of any problem, rests ultimately in our own hands. But the very gravity of the situation demands that we do not speak or act in anger or in haste. It is a time for alertness—not only of our defence forces but of all our people. In the last few months the world has witnessed the courage, dignity and self-restraint with which we have faced this challenge. I am sure that you will meet all future dangers in the same spirit. We need unity and discipline. I sincerely hope that political parties of all persuasion will stand with us.
“Every section of the population, every home, is bearing hardship. All efforts must be made to conserve the nation’s resources and to raise more. Higher production is essential in agriculture and industry. Farmers and workers, managers and factory owners should all bend their energy to this over-riding national duty.
“In any crisis hoarding is an anti-national crime. A special responsibility rests upon businessmen not to increases prices even if there be opportunity.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 24.10.1971