Press Breifing Wednesday, 28th Oct 2009

Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi addressed the media today.

Dr. Singhvi said that it is a tragic invocation of the 'aam-aadmi' or a common man by the Maoists. The Maoists swear in the name of the common man. The Maoists supposedly exist an act for the common man. What kind of action for the common man are these organizations taking? Since 1966 alone, they have caused death and destruction of over 6000 precious innocent lives, child and women lives. Valuable property and entire livelihood of families have been wiped out by these indulging and unthinking mindless. They are anti-people, anti-poor and anti-development and they swear in the name of development and the poor. The policy of blocking of obstructing roads, electricity and development cannot be pro 'aam-aadmi'. Looting of trains and disrupting of passengers cannot promote the progress of the common man. Such organizations indulging in mindless violence have forfeited the right to even mention the common man's interests. They are doing nothing but unleashing a rein of repression and a reign of terror. If they have the guts, confidence and have the determination, they must join the main stream. They must be prepared for a dialogue in a democracy. Every State Government and the Central Government has created compassionate inclusive programmes which are ameliorative, rehabilitative and remedial. Each of their grievances can be addressed, discussed and provided for but mindless killings can never solve a problem. Do they want to go down in history as a mere dot with no contribution of any kind to the welfare of the masses We condemn such reprehensible actions but equally we call upon them to join the main stream and to air their grievances in a constructive approach to solution.

Dr. Singhvi further added that violence is never the way out and turning now to the related aspect, violence of any kind is condemnable. There is no such thing as desirable or good violence. And turning to the related matter, if it was not serious and if it was not tragic, I would call it comical and laughable that India is promoting violence through Taliban. It is really the same link of violence. Is it conceivable that virtually and mentally the creator of the Taliban is accusing one of the great victims of Taliban of helping the Taliban. As he said if it was not serious, it would be laughable and comic and Pakistan should do well before pointing fingers to set their own house in order. They should not indulge in making statements which no one in the world believes in and they themselves believe in.

On the question of Sita Ram Yechurry and Prakash Karat making a statement that virtually there was a complicity of Ministers of the Union Government in relationship with the Rajdhani hijack and Mamata Banerjee is now in hand in glove with Maoist, Dr. Singhvi said that he does not think absurd, mindless outlandish and ridiculous allegations have to be dignified with the reply. He does not think that even those who are raising these accusations obliquely or directly have attempted to without prove an iota of evidence for a wild and baseless allegations. He can only humbly request that although there is a democracy and each person has freedom of speech, it is important, especially when you represent a political party, to exercise a sense of responsibility so that our national focus against mindless violence by Maoists is not deflected or digressed by meaningless allegations.

On the question of naxalism and their reforms, Dr. Singhvi said that it is a very serious and debatable issue which can be resolved with amicable dialogues in a democratic set up. Dr. Singhvi further said that there have been land reform movements in the past and the Government of India is always prepared to help them.

On the question of Mamata Banerjee making a statement yesterday that there was involvement of CPM in yesterday's train hijack, Dr. Singhvi said that he does not want to go into making allegations or counter allegations. He further said that this is a serious issue.

On the question of repetition of yesterday like incidents, is it the duty of the State Government or the Railways to ensure the safety of the passengers, Dr. Singhvi said that the congress party does not want to politicize the issue but as far as the law and order is concerned, every one knows that this is the primary duty of the State to ensure law and order in that particular State. The Union Home Ministry is always prepared for providing any help and there is no scope for politicization.

On a further related question on naxalism, Dr. Singhvi said that in coalition it does not mean that the language, the word, the idiom and the policy of each party in a coalition is identical. This is democracy. The people may have different views. The bottom line is that the Government policy does not change by individual views. The Government policy is arrived at the culminating point of a consultative process within the coalition and then within the Government through the Cabinet and then what emerges remains one single uniform united policy irrespective of different views.

On the question whether the Government at the centre seems committed to its proposed joint offensive against Maoists, Dr. Singhvi said that violence of this kind and scale is a national threat. Violence of this kind cannot be tolerated by any State under any circumstances. It is a question of harmonious functions in a federal structure between State and the Centre. It is not the matter of 'tu-tu main main' politics. The primary responsibility as per our Constitution lies with the State but every possible assistance, in terms of men, material or equipment is available with the centre. It was being shown in the past it will be shown in future. We work as a united team. This is the best approach.

On the question of the Chief of RSS making a statement that BJP needs surgery, Dr. Singhvi said that those who remote control have identified the remote controlled as cancerous and therefore, obviously urgent remedial action is required. All he can say is that the real patients must be identified. They must be isolated and segregated and they must be subjected to immediate comprehensive treatment.

In a related question on hijack issue and launching of a joint operation, Dr. Singhvi said that Article 356 and indeed 355 is a matter of constitutional procedure. It is not a matter of individual demands. The process by the appropriate authorities has to start and it is only those authorities in appropriate cases who can take decisions. Dr. Singhvi further said that it is out of place for either me or you to comment on it.

On a related question that it is the duty of the Railways to ensure safety of passengers and whether the Congress party will demand from the Government that the passengers are safe in such incidents, Dr. Singhvi said that he has already explained the positive approach. The State Police and also the Railway Protection Force should jointly combat such incidents.

On the question of comparing the hijack issue with that that of Singur when Mamata Banerjee had supported the movement, Dr. Singhvi said that the media is trying to link and match the two completely unrelated and unlinkable issues. Singur and Nandigram involved very legitimate issues. If the people participated and supported those issues without resorting to violence, Dr. Singhvi said that he fails to understand that how does the media link it with the mindless hijacking of trains and kidnapping persons.

Tom Vadakkan

Secretary, AICC