Delhi, March 28. The sympathy of Indians for the supporters of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is so solid and so wide spread that the Government is finding it hard to stay cautious and aloof.

Delhi is aware that as a government it cannot openly support a secessionist movement in a neighbouring country. But there is such a pressure of public opinion that Mrs. Gandhi, the Prime Minister, has assured Parliament that the Government will keep “as close a touch as possible with the developments in East Bengal and take appropriate decisions in time.” She has warned the country, however : “One wrong step or one wrong word may have an effect entirely different to that which we all intend.”

The Government has issued a statement which says : “The Government of India cannot but be gravely concerned at the events taking place so close to our borders....

"According to reports received, the Pakistan Army started taking action on the mid-night of 25th/26th March against units of the East Pakistan Rifles, the provincial police and the people. The reports are that the casualties have been heavy.

"More than two regular divisions of the Pakistan Army are deployed in suppressing the people of East Pakistan. Our hearts go out in sympathy to the people there who are undergoing great suffering. We naturally wish and hope that even at this stage it will be possible to resume democratic processes leading to the fulfillment of the aspiration of the vast majority of the people there.”

Members of Parliament and the press are not satisfied with the Government’s cautious approach and favour “concrete steps” to help the people who, many say, “are the flesh of our flesh and the blood of our blood”. One suggestion is that India should try to mobilize opinion in the Commonwealth and at international forums in support of the rights of East Pakistan.

Pakistan’s High Commission today protested at the comments of M.P.’s and newspapers. But the Government rejected the protest promptly, saying that both Parliament and press in India were free.