পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বাদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৮৩২

br○○ বাংরাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বাদশ খন্ড On present estimates, the cost to the Central Exchequer on relief alone may exceed Rs. 180 crores for a period of six months. All this, as Honorable Members will appreciate, has imposed an unexpected burden on us. I was heartened by the fortitude with which these people of Bangladesh have borne tribulation, and by the hope which they have for their future. It is mischievedus to suggest that India has had anything to do with what happened in Bangladesh. This is an insult to the aspirations and spontaneous sacrifices of the people of Bangladesh, and a calculated attempt by the rulers of Pakistan to make India a scapegoat for their own misdeeds. It is also a crude attempt to deceive the world community. The world press has seen through Pakistan's deception. The majority of these so-called Indian infiltrators are women, children and the aged. This House has considered many national and international issues of vital importance to our country. But none of them has touched us so deeply as the events in Bangladesh. When faced a situation of such gravity, it is especially important to weigh every word in acquainting this House, and our entire people with the issues involved and the responsibilities which now devolve on us all. These twenty-three years and more, we have never tried to interfere with the internal affairs of Pakistan. even though they have not exercised similar restraint. And even now we do not seek to interfere in any way. But what has actually happened? What was claimed to be an internal problem of Pakistan has also become an internal problem for India. We are, therefore, entitled to ask Pakistan to desist immediately from all actions which it is taking in the name of domestic jurisdiction, and which vitally affect the peace and well-being of millions of our own citizens. Pakistan cannot be allowed to seek a solution of its political or other problems at the expense of India and on Indian soil. Has Pakistan the right to compel at bayonet-point not hundreds, not hundreds of thousands but millions of its citizens to flee their home? For us it is an intolerable situation. The fact that we are compelled to give refuge and succour to these unfortunate millions cannot be used as an excuse to push more and more people across our border. We are proud of our tradition of tolerance. We have always felt contrite and ashamed of our moments of intolerance. Our nation, our people are dedicated to peace and are given to talking in terms of war. But I should like to caution our people that we may be called upon to bear still heavier burdens. The problems which confront us are not confined to Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and West Bengal. They are national, problems. Indeed the basic problem is an international one. We have sought to awaken the conscience of the world through our representatives abroad and the representatives of foreign Governments in India. We have appealed to the United Nations, and, at long last, the true dimensions of the problem seem to be making themselves felt in some of the sensitive chanceries of the world. However, I must share with the House, our disappointment at the unconscionably long time which the world is taking to react to this stark tragedy.