The autonomous groups finally shrugged off their dilemma and decided
to stand up for their belief and principles. Various National and
state level organizations came together as Coalition for Peace, to
reflect on the present situation, and agitate for peace, tolerance,
harmony and co-existence. The CFP has decided to start an indefinite
"Fast for Peace", amongst other initiatives as part of a holistic
program for peace.

Sandeep, National Alliance for People's Movement, Madhavi, Vanangana,
and Naish, AALI have come forward to stand as symbols of this
non-violent agitation for peace in its present phase. The three
commenced their fast from today morning at 11. 00 AM.

Parallel to the fast, "Prabhat Pheris" are being taken out in the
city by the alliance, led by Women for Peace. This initiative will
also observe vigils in various parts of the city. CFP is linked to
other peace initiatives taken by various organizations in different
parts of country, which are also organizing various progammes and
events on the theme of Peace and Harmony. In Lucknow, the Fasiwaadi
Virodhi Jan Abhiyaan, which is an alliance of many groups,
organizations and movements, including groups with CFP, took out a
"Peace Rally", which was addressed by Dr, Rooprekha Verma and other
eminent personalities. In Delhi many organizations are holding a
vigil every evening at Rajghat, in Allahabad organizations are
conducting "Mohalla Meetings", while in Faizabad, Nagrik Shanti
Morcha will be observing a "Dharna" to ask for peace and the
departure of the so called "Ram Sewaks".

The "Fast For Peace" has been motivated by a feeling of helplessness
and deep anguish, in view of the escalation in communal tension,
since the episode in Radauli, Faizabad on 24th February 2002, and the
subsequent reactions in Godhra, which engulfed entire Gujrat. A visit
to Faizabad and a meeting with a survivor of the violence in Radauli
has made it clear that there has been an attempt to hide facts of the
incident, as it suits vested interests to show that the starting of
communal violence in Godhara, when it is obvious that the starting
point is essentially Ayodhaya and the build up of the so called Ram
Sewaks.

The aftermath has left all of us shaken and without an adequate
response. The fast is for peace and harmony, and is aimed at the
general public, so that it might touch a chord and cause people to
rethink their position on communal issues.

It is deplorable that despite the history of 1992, the state allowed
the build-up of "Ram Sewaks" in Ayodhaya, leading to such tragically
predictable violence. The situation in Gujrat has been repeatedly
compared to the riots in 1984 and has even been termed as
"State-Sponsored Genocide". These terms evoked vivid images of agony
and loss comparable to the Partition, during which a large number of
people suddenly became homeless and aliens, in a land they had lived
in for generations. The fact that people no longer feel safe in
Ayodhaya, and have left the city till such time as there is threat of
violence (i.e. the so called Ram Sewaks leave) is enough to shame all
of us who stand by citizen rights.

We condemn all actions of violence taken by any community against any
other community, and hold the state directly responsible for its
inability prevent and then control the situation, It is shameful that
the state is unable to provide for the support and rehabilitation of
the survivors of such inhuman violence. We especially condemn the
Central government and the Prime Minister for engaging in dialogue
and negotiations with Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which is directly
responsible for the communal violence. Their stand to continue with
their agitation for the temple is doubly condemnable in view of the
ensuing violence in the wake of its call. The ultimatums being
offered by its leadership are unacceptable, and the state must take
suitable action against them.


Press Release
It was only the second day for Madhvi and Naish and third day for
Sandeep of their fast for peace when news of shady negotiations
between VHP and the Government started pouring in. It appears that
without consulting the ordinary citizen or even bothering to wait for
the decision of the court the state and the VHP are trying to broker
some kind of a deal in relation to the so called undisputed land in
Ayodhya, adjacent to the disputed land. We condemn all such attempts
to somehow appease the VHP on part of the Government, instead of
roundly condemning the actions of VHP and holding it criminally
accountable for the tragic consequences being faced by the entire
country.

On one hand the so called 'sants' bypassed all legitimate processes
and started a build up for the construction of the temple, due to
which the entire state of Gujrat has been plunged into a vortex of
violence and the rest of the country has been gripped by serious
communal tension and on the other hand one of the same 'sants' has
made an alleged compromise proposal, which would not only endanger
the peace of the country but also destroy all the values that form
the very basis of our democratic and secular country, which is to be
ruled by the people and not merely the majority.

We are extremely concerned about the measures announced by the state
of Gujrat in which it seeks to discriminate between the survivors and
victims of Godhra and of other parts of Gujrat. This step clearly
shows its communal bent of mind and the fact that the Government of
Gujrat is bent upon distinguishing between both the communities and
thereby trying to ensure that there is distrust and hatred between
the two communities. We condemn the actions of the Gujrat Government
as well as its complete indifference to peace and human rights of its
own citizens.

We demand that the Government of Uttar Pradesh should ensure the
strict enforcement of the prohibition on the entry of the so-called
Ram Sewaks in Ayodhya. We also demand that the survivors of the
violence in Rudauli and elsewhere in UP should be adequately
compensated and the perpetrators strictly dealt with.

We have organized a press conference to discuss these issues in
greater details at 6:00 PM toady evening ( 6th March, 2002 )and we
look forward to your active participation and cooperation so that our
message can go out to as many people as possible.

Contact: Arundhati Dhuru / Tulika Srivastava
AALI, 407, Dr. Baijnath Road , New Hyderabad, Lucknow.
Ph: 782066 , 782060