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'No minister is involved'

My dear countrymen,
I have taken this opportunity to talk to you at a moment of intense controversy and much noise.

As you know grave allegations have been made. Issues of a great moment have arisen.

I have been in full view of all of you for 52 years. At no point have such allegations been made against my colleagues. That is by itself sufficient to make them of the gravest concern to me.

That they have erupted when after years of uncertainty, stability has been restored to the country; when we are implementing far-reaching reforms; when our economy has been growing rapidly in spite of what is happening elsewhere; when the world has once again come to look upon our country with respect makes me all the more concerned.

It makes me wonder too.

Parliament is in session. It is the forum in which these allegations should have been dissected. Unfortunately, Parliament has not been allowed to discuss them.

I am therefore here to talk directly to you, to you to whom Parliament and all of us are responsible.

The noise and dust of controversy, the din of allegations and explanations should not be allowed to obscure essential principles, and the interests of the country.

These are three:
-- That the interests of our nation are paramount;
-- That the security of our country must remain inviolate;
-- That our government and beyond that our political system, must be cleansed, that it must function to the highest standards of propriety.

Each of these is of the highest concern to the government.

That is why the government has acted decisively, and swiftly:
-- Some officials have been suspended. Action against them is well under-way.
-- In the highest traditions of the country, to safeguard the morale of our forces and the security of the country, my esteemed colleague, a stalwart of the NDA, Mr George Fernandes has left office.

The political leaders who figured in the videotapes have resigned their posts.

That all this is in sharp contrast to the way others similarly placed reacted in the past in incidental. The important point is that action has been taken immediately because the interests of our country, because the security of our country, because the norms of good governance required that these steps be taken.

Even as we pursue every lead in the videotapes, we must be ever alert that the security of the country is not jeopardised in any manner.

We live in perilous times. We live in a perilous environment. For that reason the morale and combat effectiveness of our valiant forces must not be allowed to suffer.

It is the duty of the government to uncover the complete truth about every single allegation that has been made. The government is determined to do so. But there is a corresponding duty on each of us as citizens: focus on the facts, do not be swept away by every thing that is alleged. Throughout the hours of recording, no deal is actually struck. No minister is involved. The boasts and allegations which the actors hurl are patently false, even the slightest effort would have revealed them to have been completely contrary to facts.

Hurling such allegations is criminal. Giving heed to them is just as destructive.

It isn't just that this way our security is undermined. Our economy too can be imperilled: if confidence is shaken, much-from stock markets to the Rupee-can be shaken. Many a country has been destabilised by such gales.

But as the allegations have been made, as they have been broadcast far and wide, they cause grave concern. The facts in regard to them must be nailed. If any one has done wrong he must be brought to book-swiftly and with the fullest force of law.

Parliament, as I said, is the forum that must discuss and dissect the issues and allegations. From the very first moment the government has been anxious that the two Houses discuss the matter. I appeal to all parties: allow Parliament to function, allow it to debate the issues threadbare.

But as such an important matter cannot be allowed to drift, as it cannot be allowed to become a football of political calculations, facts need to be nailed. The government has decided to institute an inquiry by a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court. The government is in consultation with the Chief Justice of India in this regard.

As the controversy needs to be brought to a swift conclusion, we are requesting that the inquiry be completed within four months. The government will extend the fullest assistance in pursuing the inquiry.

The government shall do everything necessary to bring everyone guilty to account -- howsoever high or low. It's only concerns are:
-- That the country's security apparatus remains strong as ever;
-- That our soldiers retain the fullest confidence in it;
-- That institutions of governance and our political system regain their health;
-- That our people's trust and faith in them are fortified.

In an important sense, what has come into view goes beyond security the ease with which persons posing as arms merchants gained access to our defence personnel and politicians shows how far the cancer has spread. The revelations are therefore a wake up call to all of us. Leaders of all parties should sit together and initiate reforms across the whole range of our political and administrative life, our electoral system, the system of funding political parties, the way cases against officials and those in public life are to be investigated and processed.

In a word, my countrymen, let us rise above our day-to-day preoccupations. Let us, by joining hands convert this into an opportunity - to make the defence of our country even stronger, to cleanse our political life, to cleanse our administration.

I shall spare no effort in this regard. You have my word:
-- That I shall do everything towards ensuring these wide-ranging reforms. I shall get to the bottom of the allegations which have been made.
-- I shall work to clean up the dirt that has come into view.
-- I will ensure that all this is done in such as way that the security of the country comes out stronger.

Let us begin the inquiry.

Let us have a thorough discussion in Parliament.

Let us get back to work.

UNI

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