Bangladesh policy correct, asserts PM
NEW DELHI, July 21.-No other country in the world had ever faced a challenge of the magnitude that India was facing today as a result of the events in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said today, reports UNI.
She regretted that obstacle in the way of meeting the challenge were being placed not by outsiders but by certain parties within the country. But, she asserted, the present challenge would be met in the same way as those in the past.
Mrs. Gandhi was addressing local Congress (R) workers who had called at her residence.
Mrs. Gandhi said the leaders of Opposition parties had told her that they wanted to strengthen her hands in meeting the challenge. But “look at their slogans, their posters and their papers which are indulging in false propaganda and trying to spread communalism.”
Regarding the refugees, she said. “We had to give shirt to those who came to us. But we are not going to keep more than seven million refugees for ever.”
Mrs. Gandhi said the country would welcome any outside aid at this hour of the cricis. But that had to be without any strings.
The people of India would always support those who side for justice and freedom, she declared.
She cautioned people against parties who tried to exploit, the situation for their own ends.
She said the Bangladesh policy of the Congress (R) party was correct. “Earlier when we were opposing Americans in vietnam, parties like the Jana Sangh and the Swatantra used to say that Americans were opposing china..
Reference: Hindustan Standard 22.7.1971