European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 9, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 18 the stars and stripes sunday March 9, 1986 a photos Hopes that Gandhi with portrait of Mahatma Gandhi could pacify discontent in Punjab Strong hold of sikh Militancy have faded. Violence is on the Rise and militants again Are entrenched in holy Golden Temple at Amritsar below. Indians disillusioned wit Rajiv Gandhi by Victoria Graham associated press p rime minister Raji Gandhi s popularity is waning under the weight of growing economic problems and a resurgence of sikh unrest throughout India. The 41-year-old former airline Pilot s popularity soared when he succeeded his Mother Indira Gandhi after her assassination oct. 31, 1984, and it peaked a year ago with a landslide election Victory. Many indians saw Rajiv Gandhi then As a pacifier of restlessness and discontent in Punjab and in Assam As Well As the forger of the economic and social modernization of India. But those High expectations Are beginning to fade into popular disappointment. Petroleum prices Are rising in India while falling elsewhere in the world. Recent government announced increases set off consumer riots and business strikes in new Delhi and several states. In Punjab stronghold of sikh Militancy Gandhi s six month old peace Accord is in shambles. Violence again is on the Rise and militants once More Are entrenched in the Golden Temple the sikh holy place in Amritsar. One reason for sikh discontent is the failure of Gandhi s government to implement a key part of the Accord on territory Transfer in january a failure that has brought the Issue virtually Back to its starting Point. In addition Gandhi faces resentment within the ranks of the old guard of his Congress party which he had publicly chastened a few months ago for what he saw As corruption sloth and its loss of touch with the people. His liberalized economic politics and a new inner Circle of computer kids from private business have not been embraced by the old guard. The party also has suffered election setbacks in Punjab and Assam and its support has eroded elsewhere. The government s raising of Oil prices has Hurt Gandhi s administration and handed fragmented opposition parties a major economic Issue and rallying Point. The syndicated columnist Kuldip Nayar in an article on the waning image of Rajiv said the Oil Price hikes Cabinet reshuffles and unravelling of the Punjab Accord have shown Gandhi to be tentative indecisive prone to political pressure. His old image of taking problems in their proper order has declined to some extent and he looks like a person whose leadership has lost vitality Nayar wrote. . Dua editor and political analyst for the Independent newspaper Indian express maintained a recent commentary that Gandhi reached his Peak As soon As he came to he cannot go higher his rating can Only go Down. The Shine is wearing off rather fast. It is unfortunate if rulers do not recognize a growing disillusionment Dua wrote. People s High expectations Are scary Gandhi said in february 1985 in an interview about his blueprint for propelling India s 750 million people into the 21st Century. Gandhi approached government and politics in a Businesslike Way. He vowed to slash red tape unleash business potential make government efficient clean up politics and ferret out tax cheaters. He demanded results from lethargic Public sector Industry and ordered government employees to show up for work on time. He promised to clean up pollution in the sacred Ganges River and reduce poverty in a nation where 45 percent of the people cannot afford two Square meals a Day. Initially his achievements won Praise. They included the peace accords and elections intended to end sikh strife in Punjab and ethnic hostilities Assam As Well As a loosening of economic controls and import restrictions. The reasons Given for his setbacks Are varied the Public s High expectations his own Lack of political experience forces beyond his direct control such As sikh Militancy and some economic factors. Critics also accuse him of bad judgment indecisiveness and a desire to make headlines with Quick solutions to complicated problems like Punjab. The Punjab Accord stipulated that on Jan. 26, the City of Chandigarh joint capital of sikh dominated Punjab and hindu Saryana states would go to Punjab. In return hindi speaking Border villages of Punjab would go to Saryana. But a Central government panel could not decide which hamlets to Transfer to Saryana so at the last minute Chandigarh was not transferred. Gandhi appeared to capitulate to hindu pressure from Saryana missing what Many say was an important Opportunity to implement at least part of the Accord and bolster the moderate sikh government in Punjab. Little did he Gandhi realize Indian express analyst Dua wrote that within a year his inexperience rather than the Hopes he had raised among the Gullible would become the talking Point among the people. It is unfortunate if rulers do not recognize a growing Hira May Kar Lekar Bombay editor of the express newspaper Chain said in a commentary on the prime minister he has yet to prove that he understands India s complexity and subtlety and does not View Progress purely in terms of investment production technology and
