During that debate, we discussed about poverty, about hunger, about unemployment, about unrestrained population growth, about health care, illiteracy, power shortage, water shortage; we discussed about probity and transparency in public life; and we spoke about criminalisation of politics and many other things. I think, I am sure everybody will agree with me, that the strength of a country depends on curing these ills.Even after fifty years of Independence, half of the people in this country are below the poverty line. Millions and millions of people are without jobs. When Mr. Indrajit Gupta rightly pointed out yesterday that there was shortage of water and power in the Capital, Mr. George Fernandes ridiculed him -- as if that was also a great achievement of this Government -- saying that the discussion was on nuclear power and, therefore, one should not raise the question of shortage of power and water in the capital of this country. During the Question Hour yesterday, or today itself, Members from all sides of the House clamouring for drinking water and asking the Minister to find out means to supply drinking water, shows the position in which this country is.
We never said that we do not want scientific development. We were also very happy and proud when our scientists were able to make a super computer following the denial of the USA to supply one. We also acclaimed the scientists of this country when they placed our satellites in the orbit. We have been openly applauding their achievements. We are proud of the fact that in spite of several restraints and shortages, in spite of lack of full finances and facilities, our scientists and engineers had been able to attain great achievements with high level of dedication. We are proud of them.
17.00 hrs.
1700 hours (Dr. Laximarayan Pandey in the Chair)
But do not try to arrogate that to your political purposes. We are now told of this security problem. Yes, there is a security problem. Since that unanimous resolution that was passed in this House, the only important development that has taken place has been the installation of this Government under the leadership of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A Government which is nothing but composed of a rickety coalition of all sorts of political parties and with no commonality of interests or policies, apart from somehow to get in and remain in power.
Since 19th of March, this Government has come into being here and we have seen how the mutual bickerings have taken place between its constituents, how bullying tactics have been adopted by the different components of what I call these `hoax' of a coalition. Three Ministers have already gone. Several Ministers are under charge-sheet with the demands made by one against the other in the coalition asking for their resignation. And throughout this period, you have seen a non-performing Government with a lot of packages and the Prime Minister in bondage. He was completely quiet. He was not saying anything. He was almost on hibernation for all these days.
17.02 hrs (Mr. Speaker in the Chair)
My very good friend, the Deputy-Chairman of the Planning Commission had hardly time to enter the Yojana Bhawan. He was perambulating all across the country undertaking damage control activity.
Now, Shri Ramakrishna Hegde, the Commerce Minister, a very close associate of our distinguished Prime Minister has said that our Prime Minister is fatigued; he is frustrated; he is tired, how can he function? But suddenly we find that our Prime Minister has become very bold and very active. Although he still looks very unhappy. I am sure, he is not happy.
Whatever happened on 11th and 13th May, along with the people of this country - according to Shri Advani's perception - our Prime Minister is also proud. Now, they say the whole justification is a question of security perception. Yes, security problem is there, but more of the parties; more of the Government, than of the country. But, in the name of patriotism, Shri Advani and Shri Vajpayee will not allow any of their allies to raise any discordant voices, no more claims; no more demands; the packages have now been sealed and the Agenda is now very clear - `Hindu Nationalism'.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, never in the history of Independent India that such a momentous decision has been taken on such narrow, partisan political purpose to save the Government which has a tenuous support from only a quarter or 25 per cent of the people in this country. This feeling is reinforced by one of the important functionaries of this Government and of the Sangh Parivar. Sangh Parivar has loaned a very important economist to BJP now. I quote:
"India going nuclear has always been on the BJP agenda. But right now, the explosions were our insulation against instability. Not only does it protect us from the irritation or blackmail - the blackmail of allies...."
It has also projected the BJP and the Government capable of taking hard decisions.
28.05.98 Uncorrected/Not for Publication ###
)) The object is very clear. Now, what we find is -- and I do not know whether the Prime Minister's clearance was obtained -- that Mr. Seshadrichari, Editor of the RSS Mouth Piece, `Organiser', toured the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre even as the countdown had begun. He said that it was a friendly visit. Suddenly, he makes a friendly visit to Bhabha Atomic Research Centre just before this explosion. `Organiser' was the newspaper which first published this news on the 11th of May itself. These are very serious matters.
Now, I would say about Shri Govindacharya. Nobody would deny his authority. He said and I quote, -- kindly see the comparison -- "Like the feeling attached to Ayodhya, the nuclear tests are an emotional nationalist assertion." This is the response. Then, of course, our good friend, the Political Advisor to the Prime Minister, the `Smiling Buddha' all the time, said, "It is not a nuclear test, but a test of nationalism."
Mr. Speaker Sir, the BJP's Executive of Rajasthan chalked out a plan for the Prime Minister to hold a public meeting. He did not agree to that probably, but that was the decision of his Party Executive of Rajasthan. A senior BJP leader said, "there would be religious pilgrimage in Pokhran following which rallies would head, some with the sands of Pokhran". The emotion behind the proposal to spread Pokhran sand was to spread the feeling of national self-confidence. All these things are not necessary.
There was a spontaneous rousing of the feeling of pride and fulfilment...(Interruptions) Yes, it is so far a scientific achievement and it should be kept there. I agree with them fully. But they are utilising it for purposes which the scientists will shudder from. We were not thinking of the mileage to be given to BJP, not to this Government and not to the Prime Minister. Sir, strange arguments are being put forward by the senior Members, including a Minister on the opposite side, that the scientists are getting frustrated, they are going to retire soon, so, before their retirement something must be done.
Sir, unfortunately everybody has to retire some time or the other. That was said today also by Shri Barnala. Shri Jag Mohan said yesterday that they were getting frustrated. To avoid frustration of our distinguished scientists, Shri Gujral had rightly decided to confer `Bharat Ratna' on one of them. They will go on exploding nuclear bombs, nuclear devices. We want them to continue with full vigour, full alertness, full control of their abilities and efficiencies. For years and years to come, give them extensions, I do not mind, although there may be other very eminent people. What we are trying to find out is the real objective.
Sir, the BJP manifesto of 1998 said clearly -- I agree that the BJP's stand has been consistent on this -- that India should expedite its nuclear policy and exercise the right to induct nuclear option. But they had to enter into the hotch-potch of a Government. They had to make some adjustments here and there. They said that they had agreed -- so many parties sitting together had entered into an agreement -- to prepare a national agenda.
And this National Agenda, if it was not to hoodwink the people, very categorically said: "We will establish a National Security Council." Sir, this is necessary. So far, the Government's spokesman has avoided this. I had to repeat this because we need an answer to this. It says:
"We will establish a National Security Council to analyse the military, economic and political threats to the nation, also to continuously advise the Government. This Council will undertake India's first ever strategic defence review to ensure the security, territorial integrity and unity of India. We will take all necessary steps and exercise all available options. Towards that end, we will reevaluate the nuclear policy and exercise the option to induct nuclear weapons."
The BJP manifesto did not talk of that but I find, subject to correction, that the National Agenda made a commitment to this.
Now, Sir, the Defence Minister, on the 20th of March, had said: "The nuclear option had been put on hold. We did not say, we were going for nuclear weapons. We will reevaluate policies to ensure security. In the light of that, we will decide on the nuclear option." That was what he had said on the 20th of March. The Defence Minister of India has been withdrawing whatever he is saying because of the Prime Minister's pulling him apparently.
Now, Sir, this National Security Council is not yet formed. Shri Jaswant Singh is a poor chap. I would have liked him to be here. You could not get him here. You are giving all sorts of jobs. Now he has to find out the persons for this Council. Now his job is not over. You are sending him to Chennai so often. How can he have time?
Therefore, without this study, without this review, how could you do this?
Sir, it appears that, on the very first day itself, on the 19th of March, the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee had called Dr. Chidambaram and said: `How do you like this testing?" He came out all smiling, as the newspapers and the journals said. Therefore, this decision was taken on the very first day. This National Agenda was a `tamasha'. I had said, during the last debate, that this National Agenda is a `national tamasha'. Therefore, you do not follow it. Just to arouse a sense of pride, you go back on your commitment to the nation, commitment to all these small fries -- not personal disrespect but party-wise...(Interruptions)
SHRI VAIKO : Do you call us `small fries'? ...(Interruptions)
SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE : No, it is only party-wise, very small parties. You will be swallowed up soon. ...(Interruptions)
Shri Sudharshan of RSS had said that in 1996 -- within that thirteen day constitutional aberration, as I had said earlier -- the BJP was having a nuclear explosion in mind. But at that time there was no Ghauri. Even then you decided it.
Shri Advani, during that time you were not in the Government. We duly appreciated your desire not to come back without the clearance but that charge-sheet has remained with you. However, there is another charge-sheet. Somehow, charge-sheets are not leaving you.
Now, Mr. Speaker, Sir, coupled with this, we find a decision to have a monument there called `shakti peeth' and also to construct a temple. What is the message to the people?
We have a very very competent Minister for Information and Broadcasting. Of course, she cannot control that 71 year old person but she has her own tentacles.
She knows. She maintains very good equation with people who met her in different sections of the media. Now, lo and behold, Shri Gill does not control Star Plus, Zee TV and TVI. Therefore, generally all these are orchestrated exuberance of the people as if they are caught hold of from the market. So what do you see? Hail Shri Vajpayee. Only BJP could do this. But these are the types of responses that you see.
SHRI INDRAJIT GUPTA : Even she is doing all this.
SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE : She is inspiring. I know her wishes are sufficient. Therefore, it is not a question of mere scientific test, Mr. Prime Minister, it is a question of scientific test plus something. That is why, we are here. Some of you are saying that we are traitors, we are un-patriotic or not patriotic enough, but Sir, we have always supported whichever Government was in power. At least our Party has never been in power. It is a party of self-abnegation. You know that. We did not want, although you offered the Prime Ministership.
Sir, we have always said on this issue of fighting terrorism in Punjab, on fighting insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir that we shall support the Government. Our Party has had to sacrifice many lives in Punjab and also in Kashmir. Our comrades have laid down their lives for maintaining the integrity of this country. Therefore, do not think that it is only your Party's great prerogative but it is also a right, prerogative and duty of every Indian in this country. I am happy that our Party has contributed, maybe, not in the so vocal sense as you are able to do.
But today on the basis of these scientific achievements that have been made, you now want to, as I said, arrogate every credit. Rightly, Shri Chidambaram said that there can be only three questions. Of course, he mentioned the most important course as the last one. But that is the first course which is the real one.
Today naturally you are not happy. With this motley crowd, how can you be happy? They are not allowing you to function properly. Therefore, Mr. Prime Minister, the attempt to try to show to the people that a great decision has been taken, a great achievement by you, is not true. Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav has rightly said everything was ready. You did not have to do anything except to take a decision.
But the question is: why are we worried? After a long, long period of time and assiduously with great effort and great, as I said, diplomacy, things were becoming normal. Since the visit of Shri Rajiv Gandhi in 1988 to China, things were much more normal. We are inching and even we have been faster than anybody towards normalising the relations. The answer that you have given yesterday on the floor of this House clearly belied whatever may be your today's versions about the situation in China about which Shri George Fernandes spoke not so eloquently yesterday. Today, either they have divided the two enemies or they have shown their confusion.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, a question therefore, necessarily comes and the Government has to answer. I rightly appreciate Shri Advani's great intelligence and his choice of words. I always admire him. I have been admiring him. Now with his present approach, I do now know, where he will take us.
But yesterday something very interesting was said. We had to ask, "Why now?" Why, within few days of your assumption of power, 19th March to 8th of April, what happened? Can we not ask as Members of Parliament, as representatives of the people? And rightly you reminded you were only 25 per cent. Can we not ask "why now? What happened without this strategic review which you have promised to the country? Why? Where was even Shri Sharad Pawar that the Prime Minister of India could not get hold of him? I do not know. Had you gone abroad, Shri Pawar?
AN HON. MEMBER: He was in Chennai!
SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE : Even he could have gone.
Therefore, you could not get the Leader of the Opposition of this country to talk to him on such an important matter.
AN HON. MEMBER: He was gone to Chennai secretly.
SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE : With Shri Lal Krishan Advani in charge of the security it should not have been difficult, I do not know. And surely he is being followed by the system.
Now Shri George Fernandes was very `intelligent', if I may say so within quotes that "it was now": because it was not done earlier! It is a flippancy coming from the Defence Minister of the country! He said, "Yes, it was now because it was not done earlier." I was amazed. The sooner you get rid of him the better for this country! He is no longer the same George Fernandes. He is a very small `g' and a very small `f'.
The question is, nuclear option we have always said, `do not give up.' As you have been saying very repeatedly the country has been one. Do not forget that Mr. Prime Minister, on non-signing the CTBT. Everyone in the country has supported. When you were sitting or standing there we have supported you and we have said, "Do not sign CTBT and do not be a party to NPT whatever may be there. On that we have our options. Now why do you give up at the same time India's great position in the world today? That, although we are in a position to do it we are applying self-restraint. But we are keeping our options open and at the same time trying to bring about a total disarmament. Of course that is our objective. It is not easy. Persons of great eminence like the former Foreign Minister and Prime Minister Shri Gujral have been trying. I am no expert at all. Everybody in this country is trying to maintain that position that, yes, we see that India's long standing policy is the twin-component of refusal to surrender the nuclear option by acceding to the NPT regime and self-imposed conditional restraint in not militarising the option has been our policy. And this policy has failed. And when we ask here, when some of the distinguished hon. Members ask here how how have those explosions stopped the activities that you are complaining of, yes, we are today complaining of this proxy war.
Shri Natwar Singh has rightly just interjected a minute back. This proxy war was controlled. Of course, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav has said that we shall support you in all matters of use of conventional weapons and rightly pointed out how you can have a nuclear weapon as a weapon of defence. These things require to be explained, Mr. Prime Minister.
Now today at two o'clock I had a news item on the TV that the explosion in Pakistan is imminent. Now, what will you do? What will happen? Are we not getting into an arms race? Can this country afford? Can our sub-continent afford to have it?
Is it not our objective to have friendly relations with everybody in this world particularly with our neighbours? Are we achieving it? Of course, we yield to none in our concern for maintaining our security. Everything is required to be done. You have decided a moratorium. Now, suddenly my good friend, Shri Brijesh Mishra is talking of - obviously with the hon. Prime Minister's clearance - a possibility of being a party to the C.T.B.T. He says and I quote:-
"India would be prepared to consider being an adherent of some of the undertakings in the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty."
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