Gujral, Vajpayee exchange rapid fir over Kashmir - The Times of India

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Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral categorically stated in the Lok Sabha on
Monday that there was no question of compromising either on the "secular
unity" and "integrity" of the nation or on the stand that all of Jammu and
Kashmir, as it existed before 1947, was a part of India. He added that the
security and defence of the country was his government's first priority.

But the PM's assertion - made in response to a clarification sought during
zero hour by several MPs and initiated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP
Jaswant Singh over the apparently contradictory statements made by Mr
Gujral on Kashmir came amidst high drama. Despite Mr Gujral's elaborate and
unambiguous explanation, the BJP leader was dissatisfied. This led to a
high-voltage, rapid-fire exchange between the two men and an admonition of
the PM by former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar.

Mr Vajpayee sought repeatedly to draw attention to reports which had quoted
the PM as saying that he was willing to have unconditional talks with the
militants and simultaneously that he would not engage in a dialogue unless
they laid down arms.

In reply, Mr Gujral drew a distinction between militants from across the
border with whom the government was not prepared to talk at all and an
appeal to "misguided youth" on the Indian side of the border ,,our own
children who have gone astray" - to give up arms and come to the
negotiation table. He added that perhaps the fact that he had spoken in
"chaste Urdu" had confused those who had reported his statements.

When Mr Vajpayee expressed his dissatisfaction and BJP MPs interrupted the
PM more than once, the latter lost his temper and accused the BJP of
"trying to break the nation on the basis of religion". The BJP leader
jumped to his feet and said, "You are getting agitated without reason. You
made two contradictory statements which have created confusion." Prompt
came the reply, "It could have created confusion among the people, but
surely Atal Behari Vajpayee could not have been confused. And you are now
seeking to confuse more people. You should be more careful."

Deputy Speaker Suraj Bhan then intervened to say the subject was closed,
but only to have Mr Chandra Shekhar stand up and tick off the PM for losing
his temper. "Why are you venting your anger on Atal Behari Vajpayee?
Reserve your anger for yourself. How is it that I have not seen a single
statement from you contradicting objectionable statements on how to run
this country from abroad?"

When the PM protested, asking fond his entire reply to be heard first, Mr
Vajpayee rose again, accusing Mr Gujral of a "mischievous" attack on the
BJP by saying it was trying to break the country. This prompted the PM to
say, "But it is you people who destroyed the Babri masjid," evoking the
response, "When did the country become equated with Babri masjid?" The PM
shot back, "Destroying the Babri masjid was symbolic of your designs:"

Once again, Mr Vajpayee rose to his feet to repeat his objections to the
two statement s but it was the PM who ended the exchange on a conciliatory
note by repeating the government's commitments on Kashmir.

Mr Vajpayee, who was on his legs seeking clarification of Mr Gujral
statements, took exception to the interruption by him and said if he was
not permitted to have his say the house would not be allowed to function
smoothly.

The opposition members were agitated over the first report from Kashmir
that the Prime Minister had offered to have "unconditional talks with
Kashmiri militants.

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