Former speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Rabi Rai has come out strongly against the stand of Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee on Tibet on Joint Sino India declaration in Beijing and then his clarification on the floor of the Parliament.
He recalled Mr Vajpayee’s speech on the 27th April 1989 commenting to Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to China where he said, “I am an admirer of Nehru but by excepting Tibet a part of China, Nehru did commit a Himalayan blunder. Tibet also has the right to be independent, but a blunder occurred. Tibet was recognized as an autonomy region of China. Where is the autonomy today? Human right is violated, Marshal law has been announced, and there is atrocity and fear everywhere. But if we remain silent on Tibet then we are doing justice neither to Tibet nor to ourselves.”
In replying to the members on his previous statements and the present action, in the Parliament on 1st August 2003, he once again said, “Times have changed. The most important change is that previously I apply my wisdom on the feelings of the public and expresses them. Now I contemplate on the feelings of the public and watch every issue from the point of national interest. As far as the question of Tibet is concerned, we have tried to find a best possible solution to this problem. Whatever Shri Rajiv Gandhi said on this issue during his visit, we have stressed on the same this time. Tibet is a very big region and in that there is an autonomous region also, but to go into detail on that will arise a new debate.”
Shri Rabi Rai said, ” The two statements are not only contradicting but also misleading the Parliament and the country. This opens up so many new debates” He expressed his sadness that the country is not taking this seriously. He said, ” Shri Atal ji has battered the interest of India and Tibet to the feet of the Chinese masters. India’s interest is linked with the interest of Tibet and Atal ji returned empty handed and the Parliament did not even questioned him,”
Shri Rabi Rai was speaking to the meeting of National executives of India Tibet Friendship Society held on the 10th August 2003 at 147, North Avenue, New Delhi.
Jamyang Dorjee
Coordinator, India Tibet Coordination Office, New Delhi.
