The Hindu : National : "Do not politicise Ayodhya attack"

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Friday, Jul 08, 2005

National

National

"Do not politicise Ayodhya attack"

Special Correspondent

The country needs to stand united: Sonia Gandhi "The perpetrators of this act are enemies of this country and the society"

MANKAPUR (UTTAR PRADESH): Chairman of the National Advisory Council Sonia Gandhi on Thursday asked the Opposition parties not to politicise the attack at Ayodhya and urged the people to maintain communal harmony.

Speaking at a function held here to inaugurate a mobile equipment manufacturing unit of ITI at Mankapur in Gonda district, Ms. Gandhi said the country needed to stand united against the divisive forces. "What has happened in Ayodhya is not a political issue but an issue that concerns the entire country and harmony. Acts like this hurts the very soul of India. The perpetrators of this act are enemies of this country and the society," she said.

Ms. Gandhi said that everyone should unite and stand like a rock against these forces so that their evil designs were throttled and they could not rear their ugly head again.

Pat to security personnel

Ms. Gandhi also complimented the security personnel who fought valiantly. "I wish a speedy recovery so that they can once again serve the nation with their held high," she said.

Deviating from the prepared text, Ms. Gandhi began by reacting to the Ayodhya attack.

In a message to the Left allies of the ruling United Progressive Alliance, Ms. Gandhi said the UPA Government was committed to reviving the sick public sector units.

A revival of the ITI would help the country march ahead in the technology.

``The thrust to technology enhancement is every essential for the growth of the country. The revival package for ITI is aimed to help the country to move ahead in the science and technology sector.''

Later, she handed over the first base station (BTS) manufactured by ITI in association with French major Alcatel at Mankapur to the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited.

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