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SHRI CHANDRA SHEKHAR : Mr. Chairman, Sir, I did not want to speak on this issue but our friend Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav has spoken two sentences, which are compelling me to say a few words. I am not impartial in this matter. I also think on the same lines on which Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav thinks. Our way of expression may be different. I may not adopt the same style. The statement given by the hon. Prime Minister in Himachal Pradesh is unfortunate. In my opinion the views which are being expressed here by the members of the opposition or of the ruling coalition, are found to make the matter more complicated. Thus, I remained a silent spectator to all the developments for such a long period.

Just now, Swamiji stated in his speech that he had tried to resolve this matter. I did not make any effort. Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Shri Sharad Pawar and Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav made efforts. I was working with them as their assistant. They are aware of all the things. But since then four Governments have been changed. Thereafter, Shri Narsimharaoji was the first Prime Minister, then came Shri Deve Gowda followed by Shri Gujral ji and now, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The four of them did not take us into confidence even for four minutes and did not apprise us of the developments in the direction of resolving the issue. They might have felt embarassed in approaching an insignificant person like me but had they been serious and had the intention to resolve the issue they could have consulted Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav or Shri Sharad Pawar. In case they had any problem, then, all the documents were lying with the Ministry of Home Affairs, but there is no progress in the matter.

At that time this matter could have been resolved, it can be resolved even now but the more we discuss the issue, the more it gets complicated. Unfortunately, this Government is stretching the discussion on this issue. I do not understand as to why the Government moved the court, however, intelligent or learned person our friend Shri Arun Jaitley may be. At present, moving court by the Government shows only one thing that there is some pressure on him. The statement of the hon. Prime Minister also conveys that there is some pressure on him. If the Government, hon. Prime Minister and the Cabinet would work under pressure, solution to this problem cannot be found.

I am constrained to say that an issue which could have been resolved through dialogue, now various arguments are being given and it is being said that we should move the Supreme Court, advocates should be consulted and the arguments which have been forwarded by our friend Shri Jaipal Reddyji by quoting various books, the same books would be read in the courts also. I am not aware as to what decision would come on the sixth.

I honour the judiciary but if Arun Jaitley had approached the court, he must have approached the court with some meaningful proposal in his mind. There must be something in his mind that decision could be in his favour. If decision is delivered on the sixth, then what will happen...(Interruptions) I don’t think it will create a congenial atmosphere in the country. Our friends are in the Government, be it the NDA or the BJP, they have given a slogan, “Cultural-Nationalism”. We don’t know what this cultural nationalism is? I fail to understand but the cultural nationalism means what Swamiji had interpreted. He is not here right now. I want to submit humbly that the entire country is pervaded by lord ‘Rama’ and he who considered all the states as his own, is the devotee of Lord Ram. If we think that Lord ‘Rama’ is present everywhere then why should we oppose anyone. The kind of activities taking place and the kinds of slogans being given and the kind of steps being taken, they are the pointers that this will lead to tension and disbelief in the people of our country at large.

I would like to submit humbly that a doubt has been raised in their minds, the way the Government approached the Supreme Court. There is a big difference between the reality and the law. If the reality is that the said move of the Govt. will create disbelief in the minds of the people of minority community and if it hurts their feelings; it will create an impasse in the society. The phase through which the world is passing could create a major crisis for India. If we go by the way they have interpreted the nationalism, I don’t know how far we will succeed in Kashmir and the extent to which we will be able to take the North Eastern States along us suppress, resentment in the tribal areas and how shall we be able to keep Punjab, a part and parcel of our country. We should know that we could proceed towards peace only through dialogue. Arun Jaitley Ji can be a winner in the sphere of law, but we cannot win over the hearts of the people. Try to win the hearts of the people. I am aggrieved at what you are doing. Jaitley Ji, I had high hopes from you, I profusely appreciated you, during the Janta Party regime. Everybody knows it and I did so despite everybody was opposed to it. Similarly, I had high regards for Atalji and still I hold him in high esteem. But I failed to understand as to how a Prime Minister of a country could give such a statement just to win election in Himachal Pradesh. I do regret his statement and I had sought an appointment with him to express my anguish over his statement. As I have to go somewhere due to some unavoidable work, I apologise you and the House as well. I will not be available in the House hereafter.