New Delhi, March 24 (NationPress) BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Tuesday scrutinized the diplomatic strategies employed by the government under former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, highlighting historical events related to Sri Lanka. He pointed out that the former President of Sri Lanka, Ranasinghe Premadasa, had sent a letter to Rajiv Gandhi, expressing serious concerns over misguided policies, inappropriate conduct by Indian soldiers, and the failure to maintain peace, which instead saw a rise in conflict.

In statements to the media, Dubey remarked, “Today, we remember March 24, 1990, the date when the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was withdrawn. We experienced significant losses during that period.”

He continued, “During that time, individuals such as the current External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar were on duty. In 1989, President Premadasa sent a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, criticizing the inappropriate policies being enacted, the improper behaviors of soldiers, and the lack of peace, which was instead leading to escalating conflicts.”

Dubey also referenced prior events, stating, “Research reveals that on March 24, 1971, the Indian Army was deployed to Colombo. Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike wrote to Indira Gandhi. Just as student protests erupted in India during 1974-75, similar unrest was present in Sri Lanka at that time.”

He added, “It’s essential to recognize that the Indian Army intervened in the internal affairs of another nation in 1971. Subsequently, when India waged war against Pakistan and Bangladesh achieved independence, Sri Lanka facilitated the safe passage of Pakistan. What kind of diplomatic efforts were these? You dispatched the Indian Army to confront your own ‘Tamil brothers’. Numerous Tamilians and Indians lost their lives between 1987 and 1990.”

Continuing his critique, Dubey stated, “When internal student protests were occurring in Sri Lanka, do you think of yourself as a democratic entity or a dictatorship? I have expressed my views on the mindset of the Nehru-Gandhi family on social media.”

Earlier in the day, Dubey took to the platform ‘X’, labeling the situation as a “dark chapter” for the Congress party.

He stated in Hindi (roughly translated), “A dark chapter of Congress 8. Today, March 24, 1990, the Indian Army faced defeat and was forcibly expelled from Sri Lanka. Among those present to see off the final unit of the Indian Army was our current Foreign Minister, Dr. Jaishankar, who was stationed in Sri Lanka. Due to the stubbornness and obsession of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the Indian Army forcibly entered Sri Lanka in 1987 to harm its own Tamil brothers.”

“This obsession of the Gandhi family is not new. Previously, on this day, March 24, 1971, Indira Gandhi sent the Indian Army to Sri Lanka to suppress the student movement there. However, during the 1971 Pakistan War, Sri Lanka backed Pakistan. Thousands of our soldiers perished between 1987 and 1990. President Premadasa accused Indian soldiers of various offenses and wrote to Rajiv Gandhi. This marked the first instance of an Indian Prime Minister being criticized on foreign soil...,” he concluded.