http://www.mnet.fr/aiindex India: People for Peace - We the citizens of India want peace not war.
- Human Chain For Peace At India Gate,New Delhi / 25Th December 2001
HUMAN CHAIN FOR PEACE AT INDIA GATE,NEW DELHI
TUESDAY: THE 25TH December 2001
Dear friend,
All those who have been involved in promoting
peace and friendly relations between India & Pakistan
are deeply perturbed over the present rising tension
between the two countries. The sudden and unilateral
decision of the NDA Government of India in recalling
the Indian High Commissioner from Islamabad,
cancellation of Samjhouta Express and Lahore Bus
Service from 1st January 2001 have been received with
shock and disbelief. There seems to be a deliberate
attempt to create war hysteria and drive the two
countries on a collision course.
A meeting of representatives of large number of
organizations was held at the Indian Social Institute
today to decide as to what action could be taken by
the concerned citizens to prevent the dangerous
trend..
Meeting was convened at the initiative of Smt.
Nirmala Deshpande, Syeda Hamid and Achin Vanaik. It
was decided to organize a human chain between 11 to 1
PM on Tuesday, the 25th December 2001
at the India Gate.
All are requested to participate in large
numbers. Please forward this message to other friends.
N.D.Pancholi
22nd December 2001 For Champa-The Amiya & B.G.Rao
Foundation
o o o o
24 Dec 2001 14:07:04 +0530
People for Peace
At a meeting held on December 22, 2001, peace activists from many
civil society organizations met at the India Social Institute and
resolved the following:
We the people of India want to live in peace with our neighbors just
as our neighbors wish to live with us. We do not wish for war,
death and destruction. Therefore it is imperative that the war
mongering which is gathering steam be immediately curtailed.
At the outset let it be said that the nuclearization of South Asia
in the year 1999 was a disastrous step and its consequences are
being felt every moment of our lives. We do not perish in a nuclear
holocaust.
We wish to unequivocally denounce terrorism wherever in the world it
occurs; this condemnation includes state terrorism manifested in
terrorism by the police. Citizens are being harassed in the name of
security. In this respect, we urge the media to be a watchdog of
human rights and the sentinel of peace, and to dissociate itself
from the hysteria that vested interests may wish to spread.
At the same time we are fully conscious to the fact that the
government of India is using the current situation to push its
authoritarian agenda. We condemn this modus operandi. Instead of
viewing every event and incidence as `law and order problem?' or as
`terrorist attack? the ruling establishment should try to go into
the root cause of social crisis that is confronting the country.
Given the fact that India, the land of Mahatma Buddha and Mahatma
Gandhi has always had a tradition of keeping its doors open to one
and all and also open to dialogue, we condemn the recent move by the
government to ban the Samjhauta Express and the Sadhbhavna bus
between India and Pakistan. It will cause the greatest harm to
common people for whom it meant family reunification. We condemn
the government's decision to recall the Indian High Commissioner
from Islamabad. This attitude of `diplomatic punishment' is not in
keeping with the dignity and the tradition of India.
We deplore the fact that in this game of brinksmanship all the real
issues have been forgotten; most importantly the issue of Kashmir,
and the aspirations of the people of Kashmir. All the moves being
contemplated by the government to reduce the daily trauma of the
people of Kashmir lie forgotten.
We urge the government to withdraw its sanction against the train
and bus to Pakistan and allow the people to people contact to
continue. Talks should immediately be resumed at the highest level
within the framework of SAARC and efforts should be made to find
political not military solutions to outstanding problems.
Finally, the silence of the majority is being misinterpreted as
popular endorsement to war mongering. We appeal to our sisters and
brothers in both countries to speak up for peace and not let the
current crisis escalate into a holocaust by default.
We the citizens of India want peace not war.
People for Peace will form A Human Chain for Peace at the Amar Jawan
Jyoti, near India Gate on the 25th Tuesday the birthday of the
`Apostle of Peace' from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm.
A delegation will meet the President of India and the leaders of
political parities to hand over this statement and send the same to
members of civil society in Pakistan.
A meeting has been organised for 29th or 31st of December to review
the situation and to plan the future course of action.
Nirmala Deshpande Former M.P.
Achin Vanaik MIND
Col.V.S.Verma IPSI, Noida
Col. A.R. Khan IPSI, Noida
V. Mohini Giri Guild of Services
Syeda Hameed New Delhi
Ritu Menon Pancheel park
Iqbal A. Ansari Jamia Nagar
R.M. Pal PUCL
John Dayal Media Apartments, I.P. Extension
Safeer Mahmood Press Indian News Services
Lt.Gen.(Dr.) M.M. Walia IPSI, Noida
Valson Thampu St. Stephen?s Hospital
Fr. Bento Rodriques Fr. Agnel Ashram
Felicio Cardoso Seraulim, Salcete, Goa
Smitu Kothari Lokayan, Pancheel Park
Prakash Louis Indian Social Institute
Peter Lewron New Delhi
Lekha Bhagat New Delhi
Mahi Pal Singh PUCL
N.D. Pancholi Champa foundation
C. S.Chandrasekhar IPSI, Noida
Mrs. Naheed Taban Zakir Nagar
Azra Rizvi Zakir Nagar
Brinda Singh Pascheel Park
Aurobindo Ghose Keshva puram
Mary Scaria Justice & Peace Commission
Iqbal Jamil Taj Enclave
Rizwan Quiser Jamia Nagar
Ajeet Cour Academy of Fine Arts & Literatures
Aruna Pai Panandiker Gurgaon
Brig. S.G. Gorver Noida
Mrs. Prabha Grover Noida
Navaid Hamid Balli Maran, Delhi
Bindia Thaper NDSE-I
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