The main Opposition BJP on Monday asked the UPA government to ?raise its voice? against the crackdown on Tibetan protestors by Beijing even as the CPI(M) chose to maintain a diplomatic silence on the issue contending it is an ?internal matter? of China.
Arguing that the issue is a fit case for India to join the international community in urging China to exercise restraint in dealing with the protestors, the BJP also brought the CPI(M) in the line of fire by claiming that they were mum because of ideological ties with Chinese leadership.
?In Lok Sabha, we raised the issue of Tibetans being massacred by China. But the government reaction was not as expected,? BJP?s deputy leader in Lok Sabha VK Malhotra said. Accusing government for adopting ?soft? approach towards China under pressure from the supporting Left parties, Malhotra said, unreasonable claims made by China over Arunachal Pradesh and the Congress-led UPA had taken Sikkim lightly. Even repeated incursions by the Chinese army into Indian Territory had been ignored by the government, he added.
Urging the government to join other world powers in raising the issue at the international fora and also in the United Nations, Malhotra criticised the Left for remaining silent and recounted how ?Communists had not condemned China when it attacked India in 1962?.
Explaining the CPI(M) position on the issue, senior leader Sitaram Yachuri said, ?The government of India recognises Tibet to be an integral part of China. The government has also said that they would allow the refugees to stay in the country. This policy has been there even before the Dalai Lama came to India and we have been supporting that stand.?
Responding to repeated queries on the issue, Yachuri said, ?There have been disturbances in Lhasa. I can only say that it is an internal matter of China.?