New Delhi
27 December 2007
India reacted with shock to the assassination of Mrs Benazir Bhutto.
The President and Prime Minister led the nation in condoling the tragic death of the
Pakistani leader. New Delhi issued an alert to all States for maintaining tight vigil,
especially along the India-Pakistan border. The Border Security Force (BSF) has been
asked to remain vigilant.
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil expressed deep shock and grief on hearing the tragic
news of assassination of Mrs Benazir Bhutto. She said: "It is a tragedy for the people of
Pakistan to lose a leader of her stature in her prime. This tragedy underscores the
menace that terrorism poses to us and to the stability of our societies. The
assassination of Mrs Benazir Bhutto is a tragedy not just for Pakistan but for our entire
region. We stand with the people of Pakistan in this hour of grief and tragedy."
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the manner of her going is a reminder of the
common dangers that our region faces from cowardly acts of terrorism. "I was deeply
shocked and horrified to hear of the heinous assassination of Mrs Benazir Bhutto. Mrs
Bhutto was no ordinary political leader, but one who left a deep imprint on her time and
age. Her contributions to a previous moment of hope in India - Pakistan relations, and
her intent to break India - Pakistan relations out of the sterile patterns of the past, were
exemplary. In her death, the subcontinent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for
democracy and reconciliation in her country. The manner of her going is a reminder of
the common dangers that our region faces from cowardly acts of terrorism and of the
need to eradicate this dangerous threat. My heartfelt condolences go to her family and
the people of Pakistan who have suffered a grievous blow," the Prime Minister said in
his condolence message.
Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee said in Kolkata that he was shocked to
hear of the assassination of Ms Bhutto. His condolence message, which was made
available here by the Ministry of External Affairs, read: "I heard with shock and horror of
the death of Mrs Benazir Bhutto. Mrs Bhutto was a brave and outstanding woman leader
of the subcontinent. That she should fall to a barbarous terrorist attack is particularly
tragic, and should strengthen our resolve to fight this scourge. Mrs Bhutto's
contributions to democracy, to the improvement of India-Pakistan relations, and to the
restoration of normalcy within Pakistan will be an inspiration. My heartfelt condolences
go to her immediate family, members of her party and the people of Pakistan. Our hopes
and prayers are with them in this hour of loss."
Leader of Opposition LK Advani said that the "Talibanisation of Pakistan" is a threat to
India's security. "The news from Rawalpindi has come as a shock to me. The former
prime minister of Pakistan and a tall leader who for years had been struggling for
restoration of democracy in Pakistan has fallen victim to a terrorist attack," PTI quoted
Mr Advani as telling reporters. "I have a feeling that the kind of Talibanisation of
Pakistan that is taking place is a threat to India's security also," Mr Advani said, adding
that he had spoken to the High Commissioner of Pakistan in New Delhi.
The Congress party said that the cult of violence is anti-democracy and it also generated
instability. "It is a matter for the domestic agencies of Pakistan to investigate but we
must express our deep concern at anything that disrupts and disturbs the even keel of
democratic governance in Pakistan," All India Congress Committee Spokesman Abhishek
Singhvi told the Press Trust of India (PTI.) "In her death, an extremely charismatic leader
and a naturally engaging speaker has gone," he added.
The CPI(M) said that there are forces who are seeking to destabilise Pakistan and not
allow the transition to democracy to succeed. These efforts must be thwarted, it added,
conveying its heartfelt condolences to Ms Bhutto's family, the Pakistan Peoples Party
and the people of Pakistan.
The CPI voiced similar sentiments. PTI quoted CPI National Secretary D Raja as saying
that the incident did not augur well for democracy in Pakistan because the heinous crime
was perpetrated by forces which opposed democracy in that country. "Pakistan is
passing through political turmoil and this incident has created a very murky situation.
With her earlier rally also being attacked, the Musharraf Government should have
stepped up security.... India as a neighbour should keep watch on the developments.
The secular and democratic forces in Pakistan should unite and rise against the
fundamentalist forces," the agency said quoting Mr Raja.
Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee expressed profound shock at the assassination
of Ms Bhutto. PTI quoted Mr Chatterjee as hoping that the Indian subcontinent would be
rid of such attacks on democratic processes and that the people of Pakistan would reject
such methods of terror and strengthen democracy.
A former minister of external affairs, Mr Natwar Singh, said that he was "absolutely
shattered" to hear of the assassination of Ms Benazir Bhutto. He described her
assassination as an act of cowardice, adding that her death is bad for Pakistan and bad
for the entire region. He felt that terrorism is on the march.
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