BROADCASTING (SHRIMATI INDIRA GANDHI) May I say that since this is a matter on which the whole House feels strongly, we might make an exception and allow the Members to express their opinion.
MR. SPEAKER: I quite appreciate the suggestion made by the Prime Minister; I am prepared to make an exception. I hope you will not repeat it. This is an exceptional exception.
THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI SWARAN SINGH): The Government of India cannot but be gravely concerned at the events taking place so close to our borders. We can, therefore, understand the deep emotions which have been aroused in this House and in the entire country.
Honourable Members are, I am sure fully aware of political developments in Pakistan since November 28, 1969 when the President of Pakistan announced his plan for evolving a democratic constitution and for the transfer of power to the elected representative of the people.
The Government and people of India have always entertained the friendliest of feelings for the people of Pakistan. We had, therefore, hoped that a democratic evolution in Pakistan would follow is natural course and that the elected representative would evolve a Constitution reflecting the urges of the vast majority of the people expressed through the elections held in December last year.
However, events have taken a different and tragic turn. Instead of peaceful evolution there is now a bloody conflict.
According to reports received, the Pakistan Army started taking action on the midnight of 25th and 26th March against units of the East Pakistan Rifles, the provincial police and the people. The reports are that casualties have been heavy. On the morning of March 26th, the Radio Station at Dacca was seized by the Army. Thereafter the Radio Station made an announcement of 15 new Marshal Law. Regulations banning, among other things, all political activities, processions, meetings, speeches and slogans. Complete censorship of all news, Radio and Television programme was imposed.
More than two regular Divisions of the Pakistan Army are deployed in suppressing the people of East Pakistan. Our hearts go out in sympathy to the people who are undergoing great suffering.
We naturally wish and hope that even at this late stage it would be possible to resume democratic processes leading to the fulfillment or the spirations of the vast majority of the people there. We cannot but take note of the fact that such a large segment of humanity is involved in a conflict and that many people are suffering in the process.
Recently when natural disaster overtook East Pakistan, the Government and the people of India along with other members of the international community responded to bring relief to the sufferings of the people there.
We are prepared to make our contributing once again, in concert with the member of the International Community or international humanitarian organizations, concerned with bringing relief to innocent victims of conflict.
