Book of Integration Council New - Ministry of Home Affairs

SHRI B. S. YEDDYURAPPA
CHIEF MINISTER, KARNATAKA
Respected Prime Minister, Hon'ble Union Home Minister, Hon'ble
Governors and Chief Ministers from various States, Leaders of National and
Regional Political parties, distinguished member of the National Integration
Council, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I would like to begin by noting with concern that the objective of setting
up the National Integration Council to tackle the evils of communalism, casteism,
regionalism and linguistic issues threatening peace, harmony and integrity of
our country, has been affected by not having convened this meeting regularly.
This meeting is being held after a long gap of three years. In my view, this
Council needs to meet regularly in future, at least once a year. Not only at the
National level, but also at the State, District and Taluk levels, where it has to
happen in regular intervals to take stock of the prevailing situation and to give
the right direction towards the much needed National Integration.
It is very unfortunate that divisive forces have been continuing to be
active in many parts of the country and their nefarious plans to destory the
unity and integrity of our country is fuelled by narrow partisan views projected
often for petty political advantage. Many of these forces with external linkages
are assisted by internal forces instigated by political considerations.
Since the advent of cross-border terrorism in the closing years of 1970s,
India has been in the vortex of foreign-sponsored terrorism. Our country has
lost nearly 80,000 lives, both civilians and of security forces in the past three
decades - in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, North-Eastern states and in the rest
of India.
Terrorism has taken deep roots and is spreading its wings all over the country.
Repeatedly terrorists are striking again and again, at will and at their time and
place of choosing be it the very capital of our country or remotest part of this
vast country. Many victims of these blasts are women and children of all
communities. From Kashmir to Kerala and from Gujarat to Tripura, these antinational
and anti-social elements, admittedly with linkages across the Nation's
borders, have caused havoc and heavy loss of life and property. It is high time
that we set aside all other considerations and tackle this terror threat
unitedly. The Centre has to show the way in this major task of preserving the
unity and integrity of this great country.
147