"We would also need to examine whether our actions will actually assist in the process of reconciliation in Sri Lanka, and enhance the current dialogue between the government of Sri Lanka and Tamil parties, including the Tamil National Alliance." Dissatisfied with Krishna's statement, DMK, AIADMK and CPI members in both the Houses demanded that India support the UN resolution. In the Lok Sabha, DMK's T R Baalu walked out in protest while AIADMK members tore up Krishna's speech. They gathered in the well of the House shouting slogans of "injustice to Tamils" forcing an adjournment for half-an hour. In the Rajya Sabha, Kanimozhi led the protests against the government's statement, while AIADMK members tore up a copy of his statement there too. Saying, "We cannot accept a statement like this," Kanimozhi asked how the government was so certain that Sri Lanka would abide by its promises. Her party colleague T Siva too was adamant. "Nothing short of an assurance here that government of India will unequivocally support the resolution in the UNHRC will pacify," he said. In his statement on the forthcoming resolution, Krishna said, "We are engaged with all parties in an effort to achieve a forward looking outcome that is based on reconciliation and accountability rather than deepening confrontation and mistrust .... I may mention that the issue of human rights allegations against Sri Lanka is yet to come up for formal discussion at the 19th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva." Indian diplomats are working hard to try to take the resolution off the table, so that a vote is not necessary. On the other hand, Indian officials are not completely unhappy about the spate of political protests - the Rajapakse government according to sources, has refused to move on the 13th amendment provisions. Assuring the House that the government will keep in mind the views and sentiments expressed by MPs before taking a final view on the resolution, Krishna later told them while replying to clarifications "when human rights are violated, India is not going to be lulled into complacency". While noting that India's objectives continue to be the achievement of a future for the Lankan Tamils, who are marked by equality, dignity, justice and self-respect, he said, "We would certainly like Sri Lanka to look at their human rights issue in a very serious manner." He made it clear that "meddling with internal affairs of another country is certainly not" is keeping in tune with the best traditions of Indian foreign policy. He pointed out that the decision to send a parliamentary delegation to Sri Lanka to take a view of the rehabilitation work being done for Lankan Tamils could not take place as the Leader of Opposition had some engagements. The minister's assurance that India is committed to see that the Sri Lankan government implemented all the major recommendations of Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), however, did not satisfy the members from the Opposition and ally DMK. CPI's D Raja said the minister's statement "has not taken note of the ground realities in Sri Lanka" and questioned why India should wait for the US or Norway to take up the issue of war crimes against Tamils in that country. "India should be the first country to raise the issue of war crime. We should have taken the lead...Succumbing to certain blackmail, certain pressures...that India can't do," he said. BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said the government has "miserably failed" to persuade Sri Lanka to take action against the war crimes. "Can we close our eyes to what has happened?" Naidu asked, urging the government to take Parliament into confidence before formulating its response to the UN resolution issue.
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