- LS concerned over Taliban decree
- The Times of India News Service
NEW DELHI (March 1, 2001): The government assured concerned members
of the Lok Sabha on Thursday that it would make all possible efforts to build an opinion
against the Taliban's move to destroy ancient statues in Afghanistan.
Parliamentary affairs minister Pramod Mahajan told the Lok Sabha that
the government was as concerned as the members were over the Taliban's latest decree and
would do its best to see that it does not succeed in its effort.
Mahajan gave this assurance after several members, cutting across party
lines, condemned the Taliban's diktat to demolish all statues in Afghanistan, including a
famous Buddha statue and other relics at Bamiyan, and urged the government to take the
lead in getting international support in this matter.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, BJP member Vijay Kumar Malhotra
condemned the Taliban's move, calling upon members to send out a strong message that such
an action in the neighbouring country was ``unwarranted .
Malhotra was supported by CPM's Suresh Kurup who said the Taliban
decree was a direct attack on the sentiments of a vast Asian population. India should take
the initiative in stopping the destruction of ancient heritage relics, he said. Congress
member Ramesh Chennithala also expressed concern over this move, while urging India to
take the issue seriously.