Opinion July 24, 1983, Forty Years Ago: No nuclear plan
The Prime Minister declared that India has no intention of embarking on a nuclear weapons programme.

The Prime Minister declared that India has no intention of embarking on a nuclear weapons programme. “Our nuclear science is dedicated to development, to achieving freedom from want and providing the essentials of an honourable life to our masses,” Mrs Gandhi said while addressing the scientists and engineers at the Madras Atomic Power Station at Kalpakkam after dedicating to the nation the 410 MW power station.
Protest in J&K House
The Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Wali Mohammad Itoo took the strong step of suspending all 23 Congress (I) MLAs from the House for the rest of the session as they resorted to a dharna in the House in protest against what they described as the Speaker’s partisan role. A motion to this effect was moved by Mohiuddin Shah following near pandemonium in the House.
PM on Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi made it clear that though India did not wish to interfere in the domestic affairs of Sri Lanka and was “committed to friendly relations” with that country, “we can’t help feeling distressed about the prevalent situation regarding the people of Tamil origin there. She pointed out that the External Affairs Ministry’s statement in this connection “was appreciated by many people”, including the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M G Ramachandran.
Orissa elections
Orissa, the first state to complete organisational elections of the Congress (I), has also opened a new chapter in the party’s history because of the ruthless rigging of the elections in disregard of internal democracy. When Congress (I) president Indira Gandhi ordered the elections, the idea was to revitalise the party from the grassroots level.