Spectre Haunting Indira

TIMINGS can be inconvenient. Could not the insurrectionists of Ceylon have chosen another time for their abortive uprising and the bloodbath in which the revolution they wanted got drowned? As it happens, these headstrong youths who have given this peaceful island its most profoundly traumatic experience of centuries have so ill- chosen their time as to cause a great deal of embarrassment to the Indian Press, Indian politicians and, of course, to Indira Gandhi. But for Ceylon, India's great interest in Bangla Desh, albeit its advocacy of recognition of Bangla Desh as a substitute for taking the step itself, could have appeared as provoked entirely by considerations of liberty, democracy and humanitarian- ism. But the voices of liberty, democracy and humanitarianism seem to be remarkably muffled when it comes to Ceylon. There also certain things are happening. But no picture parades, no screaming headlines, no strongly-worded resolutions by political parties.