Full-scale war now : PM
From our Political Correspondent, NEW DELHI Dec. 3.-Pakistan today launched an undeclared full-scale war on India.
Announcing this in a broadcast to the nation, the Prime Minister said the Pakistani aggression must be finally and decisively repelled.
A state of emergency throughout the country was proclaimed this evening.
The two countries are in fact at war since early this evening when Pakistan made air strikes on a number of airfields in the western region and began shelling several places.
Details were not given out today of the counteraction India had taken and will continue to take. But unconfirmed reports say that fighting is going on in a number of sectors.
The Defence Minister, Mr. Jagjivan Ram, said today that orders had been issued to Indian troops to take “All necessary action to meet the Pakistani challenge.” Emerging from a meeting of the Cabinet, which discussed the blatant Pakistan attack on several airfields of India, Mr. Jagjivan Ram declared; “The challenge has come. It will be met,”
In her broadcast, Mrs. Gandhi declared that the nation had been put on a war footing to repel decisively and in time “the wanton and unprovoked aggression of Pakistan”.
“We have not other option but to put the county on a war footing, she said. “The war in Bangladesh had become a war on India”.
Referring to the events in Bangladesh since March, she said that India had been pleading with the countries of the world for a peaceful solution to the Bangladesh problem and prevent annihilation of a people whose only crime had been their love and dedication for democratic institutions and principles. She regretted that the world had ignored that appeall.
Calling upon the people to be prepared for a long period of hardship and sacrifice, she said it was the united will of the people to be prepared for a long period of hardship and sacrifice, she said it was the united will of the people that the aggression should be decisively repelled.
The Prime Minister said : “Peace cannot last if we cannot guard our freedom, our democracy and our way of life. So, today we fight not merely for territorial integrity, but for the basic ideals which have given strength to this country and on which alone we can progress to a better future.
“Our brave jawans and officers and all our forces have been mobilised for the defence of the country. An emergency has been declared for the whole of India. Every necessary step has been taken”.
Mrs. Gandhi said she was speaking “at a moment of grave peril to our country and our people.” The Government had been assured of the full and unflinching support of all political parties in guarding “our freedom, our democracy and our way of life.”
President Giri signed the emergency proclamation at about 11 p.m. more than five hours after the Pakistani air attack was launched.
The declaration-the second such in the 24-year old history of free India-said a grave emergency existed as the security of India had been threatened by external aggression.
Article 352 of the Constitution, which empower the President to proclaim a state of emergency, was first invoked on October 26. 1962, after the Chinese aggression. That state of emergency was still of during the Pakistani aggression of 1965 and was revoked only on the night of January 9-10. 1968.
It was officially stated tonight that the two houses of Parliament would meet in a special sessice tomorrow to take up for consideration the Defence of India Bill for immediate enactment.
The President issued the proclamation of emergency shortly after the Political Affairs Committee of the Cabinet had met to consider the situation created by the Pakistani aggression. The Chiefs the three Armed Services attended the meeting.
Mrs. Gandhi conferred with the Council Minister tonight.
Later, Mrs. Gandhi had a meeting with leader of the Opposition groups in Parliament.
The three Service Chiefs went into a conference immediately on news of the Pakistani attack Indian Airports.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 4.12.1971