Page 2038 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 28 May 1991
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It is very clear that during the five or so years that Mr Gandhi ruled India as Prime Minister he showed special qualities in managing the largest of the world's democracies. In that sense I think he deserves the tributes of this Assembly and those of other nations that have paid tribute to him since his assassination.
He was a great supporter of the Commonwealth of Nations, and I say that with pride. I think members of this Assembly have been enthusiastic supporters of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and have certainly valued the comradeship that goes with membership of an organisation such as that. Rajiv Gandhi was a major supporter of the Commonwealth of Nations and, with his departure, he will be greatly missed.
Ms Follett touched on the question of the difficulty of leading a country such as India, with so many ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural forces at work. The special tribute I think we can pay to Rajiv Gandhi is that he acknowledged those differences in outlook by many Indians and attempted in many ways to reconcile them.
His mother's approach to the question of diversity within India was a somewhat intolerant one. She took the view that these forces need to be suppressed in order to make India work as a single unit. I think Rajiv Gandhi had a more enlightened view of that and took the view that they should be acknowledged, within limits, and even encouraged in some cases. I think Mr Gandhi's approach will be missed in that sense as well.
His death was a great shock to everybody who values democracy. It reminds us all that politicians are mortal. I do not think that Mr Gandhi would take with him to the grave any great ideological legacy or leave a great legacy, in that sense, to the people of India; but certainly he demonstrated a capacity and a talent to manage the very great difficulties confronting India which, I think, will be sadly missed by the people of India. I certainly join with my colleagues in offering condolences to his family at this time.
MR STEVENSON: Mr Speaker, I support the comments of members in condemning the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Such an act can never further the cause of democracy. Perhaps it may, in itself, stand as an example of the wrong action to take. There are, by far, other ways that we should use in our disagreements in society. I know that all members here offer condolences to the family of Mr Gandhi.
Question resolved in the affirmative, members standing in their places.
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