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Opinion 40 years ago November 18, 1985: PM supports Palestine

This is the front page of The Indian Express published on November 18, 1985.

November 18, 2025 07:24 AM IST First published on: Nov 18, 2025 at 07:13 AM IST

The Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, called upon the non-aligned movement to persist in its efforts to bring about reconciliation and peace in the West Asian region. Gandhi said India, Oman and the Non-Aligned Movement as a whole had expressed their displeasure over the continuation of the Iran-Iraq conflict. Gandhi also said India has been unflinching in its support for the people of Palestine.

Vajpayee on nuclear weapons

BJP President Atal Bihari Vajpayee reiterated his party’s demand that India should go ahead with the manufacture of a nuclear bomb, at least to deter Pakistan. Vajpayee said PM Rajiv Gandhi was spreading confusion on the issue through ambiguous remarks.

Rajneesh pleads guilty

A bitter and tired Bhagwan Rajneesh said he had been forced to plead guilty out of compassion for his people. During his few hours in the capital before taking off for Kulu, he said the case against him in the US was “absolutely false”. In pleading guilty, he said, “for the first time in my life, I told a lie”. Leaning back in his comfortable chair in a five-star hotel, he explained, “I was getting concerned that my people were getting concerned about me.”

A bad day for Indian sports

It was a bad day for India in sports. The Indian cricket team suffered a 49-run defeat to Pakistan in the Rothmans Cup at Sharjah. Pakistan notched up 203 for four wickets and then bowled out India for 154 to gain their first win. India now clashes with the West Indies on November 22. In the Champions Trophy at Perth, India lost to Australia by four goals to one.

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