New Delhi, March 19, 2013
PTI
The Hindu Congress President Sonia Gandhi
Congress
president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday demanded an “independent and credible”
inquiry into the violation of human rights in Sri Lanka even as she refused to
comment on key UPA ally DMK withdrawing support to the government at the
Centre.
Voicing
her pain and anguish over the “denial of legitimate political rights” to Sri
Lankan Tamils, Ms. Gandhi dwelt at length on the issue at the Congress
Parliamentary Party meeting in Delhi.
“I
have nothing to say now”, Ms. Gandhi said when asked about the pull out by DMK.
“The
plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka is close to our hearts. Our support for equal
rights and equal protection of the laws to them has been unwavering since the
days of Indiraji and Rajivji.
“We
are most pained at the manner in which their legitimate political rights
continue to be denied to them. We are anguished by reports of unspeakable
atrocities on innocent civilians and children, especially during the last days
of the conflict in 2009,” she said.
Slams
Italy over marines
Slamming
Italy for its refusal to send back the two marines charged in the fishermen
killing case, Ms. Gandhi asserted that no country will be allowed to take India
for granted.
“The
defiance of the Italian government on the question of the two marines and its
betrayal of a commitment to our Supreme Court are outright unacceptable,” she
said.
“No
country can, should, or will be allowed to take India for granted. All means
must be pursued to ensure that the commitment made by the Italian government to
our Supreme Court is honoured,” Ms. Gandhi said.
