Press Breifing Wednesday, 6th Jan 2010

Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan addressed the media today.

Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that we wanted to express our concern over the continuing attacks upon Indians particularly Indian students in Australia. The External Affairs Minister Shri S.M. Krishna has already taken serious note of the continuing attacks upon young people of Indian origin in Australia and the strong possibility that these attacks may be racially motivated. This is a matter of great concern and we would certainly expect the Government of Australia to take the matter up with utmost urgency and ensure that no such attacks occur once again. These cannot be treated as random acts of violence since it is abundantly clear after the series of incidents last year that these attacks are directed against students and young persons of Indian origin. The concern expressed by the External Affairs Minister has been communicated and we expect all other steps to follow up. An advisory has been issued to Indian students but those who are guilty of these acts of racist violence in Australia must be brought to books in a fashion that it is ensured that no such attack occur in future.

On the question as to how can you expect to resolve Telengana when your own party speaks in two different voices at a meeting called by your own Government to resolve this issue, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that it is very clear that Telengana is a subject upon which there is strong opinion divided not along political lines or party line but along lines of region. As far as Indian National Congress is concerned, MPs and leaders belonging to different regions have their own strong points of view which is understandable but when the party finally takes a stand; all our leaders will accept the stand of the party. The stand which is to be taken by the Government after the wider consultations and after the entire ramifications are studied and when a final view on the matter is taken, it will be very clear.

On the question whether the party stands by the 9th statement of the Home Minister, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that the statement of the Home Minister was based upon the views that emerged from all party meeting which was held by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Consequent upon that, all parties went back upon their stand notably Telugu Desam and the PRP. All parties stand divided on this issue and it was therefore felt that wider consultations are necessary. She further added that Home Minister has already spoken on this yesterday and we have nothing further to add to Home Minister's statement and added that certain situation prevailed on the 9th and there after many other views came to the fore. Now those views are being considered. It is a dynamic and ever changing situation. All parties had expressed their views differently after the 9th.

On the question that if there is a political will on this issue, there is a provision in the constitution; Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that nobody disputes the constitutional capacity or the power granted to Parliament. The matter is also very political, emotional and at the moment there is tremendous unrest and therefore, it is in that background that first we call for peace and a halt to all agitations and thereafter for wider consultations.

On the question why show cause notice was issued to certain people, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that General Secretary In-Charge of Andhra Pradesh must have taken into account all aspects before issuing show cause notice and these were issued to those people who were considered to have deserved to receive those notices.

On the question of reaction of the party on such demands of smaller states from other parts of the country, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that she was sure that there will be demands from various parts of the country. Already some demands are being made. Each is considered on a separate footing.

Tom Vadakkan

Secretary, AICC