Sandeep bhaiya has decided to sit on the fast, for
now, as he says it is a token fast for two days. Many
padyatris are participating in this token fast for two
days TO PROTEST THE VHP MEETING in Hardwar to discuss
future plans on Ram Mandir issue. But probability of
him continuing this fast beyond two days, is quite
high. I will keep you all updated on this issue.
best regards
bobby
FOR
SANDEEP & ARUNDHATI
National Alliance of People's Movements
A-893, Indira Nagar, Lucknow-16. India. Ph 347365

===============================================
Chitrakoot to Ayodhaya padyatra concludes today
===============================================
June 21, 2002

written by the padyatris themselves.

The March for Peace and Communal Harmony, from
Chitrakoot to Ayodhaya which commenced from
Chitrakoot, on May 27, 2002, concluded in the twin
cities of Faizabad of Ayodhaya-Faizabad district
today. The conclusion of this march was marked by the
entry of the marchers in the town of Faizabad via
Darshan Nagar, where they were warmly welcomed with
cheers and flowers by the citizens, looking for peace
and harmony in their city. The marchers then walked
singing songs of peace and harmony to Forbes Inter
College compound, to join a meeting of the local
citizens, distinguished by the presence of Swami
Agnivesh, Pramukj Arya Pratinidhi Sabha and President
of Bandhua Mukti Morcha, Maulana Rafiq Kazmi, the
chairperson of Jamaat-i-islami Hind, Phalhari baba
alias Mahant Kaushal Kishore Sharan, Dharam Das,
Trustee Ram Janam Bhoomi Nyaas, Bhagwaan Das,
ex-sarpanch Hanuman Garhi, Sanjay MG, National
Coordinator of NAPM (National Alliance of People's
Movement), and Ms.Kavita Srivastava, General Secretary
of PUCL Rajasthan (People's Union for Civil
Liberties).

The marchers covered a distance of over 500 Kms in
26 days making 40 major halts en route. Ordinary
citizens welcomed the marchers warmly right through
their march. The average distance covered in a day was
20 Kms, and a total of about 100 marchers participated
in the march for peace and communal harmony.

The six constant marchers who walked the entire
distance were Shri Sandeep of NAPM and Asha, Shri
Gurdayal Singh Sheetal of IDP (Internationalist
Democratic Party), Mahesh Bhai and Ram Sagar of Asha,
Suresh Bhai from Sarvodaya Shodh Samiti and Vivek
Umrao, a final year engineering student from Kanpur
University. On average 25 support marchers walked with
the peace march every day. People from MP, Rajasthan,
Punjab and Bihar also joined the march in addition to
those from UP.

The various events held by the citizens where the
marchers stopped were marked by the participation of
National leaders committed to the cause of peace and
secular values : Ms.Nirmala Deshpande, Admiral L
Ramdas, Shri Kishen Patnaik and Dr.Banwari Lal Sharma.

The March was taken out to question the use of
religion for political ends and to raise concern about
the repeated incidents of communal violence in the
country as a result of the so-called 'Ram Mandir
andolan'. It was also to establish the fact that the
common citizen is religious but not communal; and used
various opportunities of dialoguing with the people to
warn them about elements who used the garb of
religious discourse to spread fanaticism and violence.

The overall experience of the peace march was
extremely good. Majority of the people condemned the
violence in Gujarat and the praxis of the Sangh
parivar, based on hatred for minorities. This included
even those who had earlier participated in the Kaar
Sewa in Ayodhaya and those who are in favor of
construction of Ram Mandir. Some people even believed
that the 'Hindutvawaadi' organizations had crossed all
limits now.

The people took great interest in the literature
being distributed by the marchers and contributed
fiscally to the march. In fact, the arrangements for
boarding and lodging of the marchers were made either
by local organizations or at many places by the people
themselves.

During the halt at Raja Talab, Varanasi, on the
8th and 9th of June 2002, a "Manav Dharam Sammelan"
was organized, at which a resolution was passed,
clearly stating the belief of the marchers and the
people they met on their way. The marchers also made a
declaration aptly named the Ayodhaya Declaration,
which demands a complete ban on all organizations that
practice communal politics.

============================
MESSAGE FLASH FROM SANDEEP :
============================
Now, a combined meeting of representatives of various
organizations is taking place on 22nd and 23rd june in
ayodhya after the padyatra concluded there. You may
call Huma or Arundhati at (05278) 23096 to find out
about the venue of these meetings. the info. will also
be available with Sheetla Singh, editor of Jan Morcha.
his numbers are (05278) 22747, 22777, Mobile:
9838065243. you may also call suman gupta who works
for the same newspaper. her mobile number is
9838065345.

During the 22nd june meeting, the focus of
discussion was on the communalism question, and it
took place in Press Club of Faizabad. 23rd june
meeting, in which we'll focus on indo-pak relations
question, the nuclear weapons question and related
issues, will take place in Jan Morcha Sabhagaar in
Faizabad.

Please remember 22-23 june coincides with a
meeting of VHP in Hardwar to discuss the next phase of
Ram Mandir
construction movement. a number of the padyatris are
observing a fast on these two days as a mark of
protest.

love, sandeep