Awami Rule Is Only Solution For Bangladesh : Swaran Singh
From Our Special Representative, NEW DELHI, June 25,–Giving the clearest yet indication of the next steps, Mr. Swaran Singh today said. “We may have to take action on our own. If a satisfactory political solution to the Bangladesh crisis was not found soon. In his reply to the five-day debate on Bangladesh in the CPP (R) Mr. Swaran Singh made it clear that India “cannot look on helplessly to the sufferings of the people in Bangladesh which will also affect India’s security and progress.”
Mr. Swaran Singh spoke in the two Houses of Parliament as well but his statements there were confined to summing up of the results of his tour abroad. At the party meeting he was confronted with insistent demands by several members for concrete steps to meet the situation created by the mass influx of refugees. They seemed particularly restive because of the suspicion that the Government was putting too much reliance on diplomatic efforts.
His definition of the political settlement confronted to the line he had indicated yesterday to the party executive that the transfer of power would be real only if Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other Awami League Leaders are involved in it and that the installation of a “quisling” government in East Bengal, comprising some breakaway elements of the Awami league and others would not meet the demands of the present situation or induce confidence among the refugees which was essential before they could think, of going back.
Without undertaking the importance of the humanitarian aspect of the problem as signified by the sufferings of refugees Mr. Swaran Singh did not want the country to lose sight of the “real and basic issue” which was restoration of democracy in East Bengal and transfer of power to elected representatives. While India would be grateful for aid given by other countries for relief of refugees. “we would not be bought over by aid or promises of aid. We will continue to fight on all fronts to achieve our objective.”
To members who appeared sceptic about the outcome of diplomatic efforts Mr. Swaran Singh’s assurance was that the moves on the international front would not be allowed to inhibit the Government from taking action on other fronts. But he pointed out that nothing was lost if India tried to convince other Governments about its stand on Bangladesh, that apathy of the world community could seriously jeopardize the cause India was championing. He made this point while turning down the suggestion of Mr. Baharul Islam that India should give an ultimatum to the Security Council instead of continuing diplomatic moves in world capitals. Mr. Swaran Singh remarked that the member was oversimplifying the problem.
As a result of his tour. Mr. Swaran Singh claimed, the world governments appreciated the dimensions of the problem, the depth of the suffering of the people in Bangladesh and the difficulties of refugees. “It was realized in world capitals that the Bangladesh issue was not an internal problem of Pakistan and that it affected India and to some extent Burma.
POINTERS
The questions put by the members later were significant pointers of the mood of the party, of its doubts and suspicions. Nearly all questioners agreed that Gen. Yahya Khan would not accept the type of political solution visualized by India and in any case he would not let Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to come to power. From this they proceeded to make a case for firm action, with one of them suggesting that India should occupy a portion of East Bengal to resettle the refugees there.
Monday In Lok Sabha For Bangladesh
NEW DELHI, June 25,—The Lok Sabha will have a fullfledged discussion on Monday on the entire gamut of Bangladesh issue, including the U.S. shipment of arms to Pakistan, reports UNI.
The Speaker, Mr. Dhillon, bowed to the persistent demand spearheaded by Congress (R) members and ruled that the whole of Monday would be allotted to the discussion.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 26.6.1971