'We shall bring the criminals to book.
This is our duty, it is my pledge'
Following is the text of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's address to the nation on Martyr's Day today:
Today -- the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's martyrdom -- is a solemn day of remembrance for us. We remember him and other great patriots who gave the best years of their lives, many of them their very lives, for our beloved motherland.
It is a day for introspection, for resolve and for rededication.
This year we observe this solemn day against an unhappy backdrop of sectarian violence -- terrorism that continues to claim innocent lives, the assault on nuns in Madhya Pradesh, the attacks on religious places in Gujarat, the ghastly killings of Graham Stains and his two sons in Orissa, and the brutal massacre of dalits in Bihar. The nation cannot but be sad. We cannot but grieve. Such violence violates our tradition and culture of tolerance. It goes against everything that Gandhiji and our savants have taught us. Even in the dark days of foreign rule this tradition was an article of faith with us. It goes against the very spirit of sarva panth samabhav, the cornerstone of the Republic of India.
In expressing anguish over these incidents, the President has spoken for the entire nation. I have felt, and have said publicly, that these incidents are an aberration, a blot on our collective conscience.
There can be, and there are, differences of opinion in a rich and diverse democracy such as ours. However, violence is not the instrument to express differences. Dialogue is.
As you all know, Gandhiji was intensely religious. For him questions of faith, of dharma, were matters of life and death. He had delved deeply into the scriptures of all religions. He used to have regular discussions with preachers of different faiths. They often disagreed with each other without affecting their personal relations. The point of view of the other was heard respectfully, questions were asked, and clarifications given.
The point to remember on this sacred day is the Mahatma's message of truth and love, and the method he employed -- not violence on one side and spurning on the other, but through debate and public discourse. This is the only civilised way of resolving differences.
Our Constitution guarantees security for all. My government is committed to this guarantee. We are here to protect all sections of the people, irrespective of their gender, caste, or faith.
Let no one be under an illusion. The laws of our land are clear, and they will be enforced -- without exception, and to the fullest degree -- to punish those who violate this sacred guarantee. Suspects have already been rounded up in Madhya Pradesh, and culprits taken into custody in Gujarat. Every agency of the state and the central governments is pursuing every lead in Orissa. The situation in Bihar will be firmly dealt with.
We shall bring the criminals to book.
This is our duty, it is my pledge, my government will go to any length to keep this pledge.
I believe that in such cases, we must ensure trial of the accused on a day-to-day basis.
Therefore, there are two immediate tasks -- to shun violence and to bring the criminals swiftly to book.
Justice cannot and shall not be delayed. There is a large reservoir of goodwill, understanding, and amity among the followers of different religions.
We must resolve to enlarge and deepen this precious reservoir. This cannot be done by the government alone. Maintaining and further strengthening peace and harmony is also the responsibility of citizens. I urge all of you, my dear sisters and brothers, to discharge this responsibility unfailingly -- in your own neighbourhood, workplace, village, town, and city.
As a mark of my own resolve to carry out my responsibility as a citizen and as the first servant of the nation, I have undertaken a day's fast today. I know that I have been joined by millions of my countrymen in this act of atonement and introspection.
Gandhiji used to say, "My life is my message." By cleansing our body and soul as a homage to the Mahatma on his punyatithi [death anniversary], let us rededicate ourselves to build the India of his dreams.
Jai Hind.
Justice cannot and shall not be denied, says Vajpayee
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