‘Peace, secularism vital for economic growth’

Former Finance Minister highlights the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi as PM

Looking back: Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram with TNCC chief Su. Thirunavukkarasar at Sathyamurthi Bhavan on Sunday.

Are all communities living in peace in the country? Is secularism and good relations prevailing in the country, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram raised these questions at a meeting here on Sunday.

Speaking at the 26th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Mr. Chidambaram asked whether the number of lives lost since 2014 — about 180 soldiers till April 2017 — by the armed forces in Kashmir in the past four years was worth it. “Why is this happening? Who are they losing their lives for? Have we got peace because of this? Is there peace on the Line of Control,” Mr. Chidambaram wanted to know.

He also asked if Dalits, Muslims, Christians were able to live without fear in India. “Only a society that has peace, good relations between communities, and is secular, can become an economically developed nation,” he said.

Recalling Rajiv Gandhi’s achievements during his tenure as Prime Minister, Mr. Chidambaram said he was the one who introduced computerisation in governance, brought in the telecom revolution in collaboration with Sam Pitroda, came up with the vaccination programme for children and brought in the panchayati raj system.

Breaking down for a couple of seconds while recalling Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, the Congress leader said a number of world leaders who stood for peace and wanted peace were assassinated.

“Just like them, Rajiv Gandhi, who was a messenger of peace, was murdered,” Mr. Chidambaram said.

Terming the panchayati raj system as a “yuga puratchi” (Revolution of the ages), Mr. Chidambaram lamented that now the system was not allowed to function.

“Those who don’t like this yuga puratchi are the ones who are creating stumbling blocks, are not conducting elections, and are giving these powers to officials,” he said.

Mr. Chidambaram said Rajiv Gandhi was a very peace-loving person. “But he always used to say an unfortunate end would come to him someday. It was the same people who he fought for, who were afraid that peace will come to Sri Lanka, who killed him,” he added.