[sacw] Indian &Pakistani citizens call for peace.

[aiindex@mnet.fr]

June 28 1999
FYI
(South Asia Citizens Web / South Asians Against Nukes)
==========================

Dear Friends,

Enclosed below are news stories about the activities of some of the peace
groups in India and Pakistan. We have also enclosed a few press releases
issued by these groups calling for immediate cease fire in Kargil,
withdrawal of Indian and Pakistani troops and infiltrators,
demilitarisation of the Line of Control and beginning of negotiations
between India and Pakistan to resolve all outstanding differences and
disputes in a peaceful manner. You may find them useful. Kindly share
these with other like minded persons.

South Asia Forum for Human Rights,
Kathmandu.
Jume 28, 1999
______________________________________________

# 1.
[Times of India, 25.06.99]

When gunfire blew out the peace candles

By Mohua Chatterjee

New Delhi: Piece by piece, they were putting together a foundation for
peace. Candlelight vigils at Wagah; student exchanges; social and academic
interaction; lobbying with powers that be The peaceniks had been very
busy, indeed. Till Kargil happened, shaking the foundation

"At least 20 groups in India have been working to develop friendly
relations between the people of India and Pakistan," pointed out Sayeeda
Hameed of the National Council for Women, who is actively involved with
some of the groups. Groups like the India-Pakistan Friendship Society, with
former Prime Minister I. K. Gujral as chairman; Citizens for Democracy
started by Jayprakash Narain in 1974 and now headed by Kuldip Nayar; the
Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) with
chapters across the country; the Association for Peoples of Asia run by
Nirmala Deshpande, the Servants of the People Society, started by Lala
Lajpat Rai; and the more recent Indo-Pakistan Nimrana Initiative (1992),
which consists of 18 members, including some from Pakistan.

Mr. Gujral admits that the Kargil fighting has been a setback to their
efforts, but says hopefully. "People to people interaction will go on."

The Nimrana Initiative group comprising influential former diplomats,
retired army officials, journalists and academicians first met at the
fort resort. Hence the name. Since then, they have met 16 times at venues
on both sides of the border. Their focus: how to make India and Pakistan
friends, and influence governments.

But what did the Initiative initiate? A great deal, says former JNU
professor Satish Kumar. "It was because of our lobbying that the visa
liberalisation finally came about. We also initiated student exchanges
between Delhi's Lady Shriram College and Lahoer's Kinnaird College, so
that young people could form their own impressions about our cultural
similarities." The exchange has been going on for some years now.

Kuldip Nayar points out that the ground for the Delhi-Lahore bus was
prepared by symbolic gestures like the night vigil at Wagah. "You can't
change geography," points out B.G. Verghese, a member of the Nimrana
Initiative. And geography dictates that it is in the interest of the two
neighbours to live in peaceful coexistence.

There are others, too, who have been humming the peace tune. Historian
Barun De, Bengali writer Jaya Mitra, P V Khotari of the Porbandar
Machhimar Boast Association, human rights activist Shimreichon Luithui and
Ramesh Jerai from Manipur and Bihar respectively, advocate Atul Setalvad,
social worker Sushobha Barve, filmmaker Tapan Bose, trade unionist Ashim K
Roy, to name a few.

Trade unionists have been comparing notes, to work out better deals. "Very
often, we found the same multinational operating in both the countries
offering different conditions for the same work," explain Bose. His forum
and like-minded ones in Pakistan were even hoping to start printing each
other's publications, "but all that is going to take time".

A lot of time, if the current conflict continues. But the peaceniks wait
in hope for the fighting to end and their efforts to resume. Then,
perhaps, they can pick up the pieces of their refrain: "Give peace a
chance." As Bose says: "There are enough like-minded people in Pakistan to
make it work. I am sure it will become a movement one day."

And then, perhaps, it will be time to light another candle at Wagah.

--------------------------------
# 2.
[The Hindu, 26.06.99]

Call for end to armed intrusion

New Delhi, Citizens Against War* got together today to deplore the war
hysteria "whipped up" by the rulers in India and Pakistan.

At the meeting, members of the organisation called for an end to the armed
intrusion, threatening military postures by both sides, use of
sophisticated, conventional weapons resulting in the loss of lives of
civilian population and jawans on both sides, and uprooting of innocent
people >from their settlements along both sides of the Line of Control
(LoC).

Stating that escalation of this conflict carried the risk of a nuclear
holocaust in the sub-continent, the Citizens Against War have called for
an immediate cessation of armed hostilities, withdrawal of infiltrators as
well as both Indian and Pakistani troops, demilitarisation of the LoC, and
immediate resumption of talks between the two governments for a peaceful
settlement of all outstanding disputes including Kashmir "Where the
democratic aspirations of the Kashmiri people should be honoured".

Of the view that democracy would not survive on the sub-continent without
peace between India and Pakistan, the Citizens Against War have sought to
remind the people of India of the fascist repression which was part of the
last emergency.The organisation has urged fellow citizens to oppose "war
hysteria and the danger of reimposition of emergency under the garb of
`internal security'".

Note:

* Citizens Against War was formed in New Delhi on June 18, 1999 at a
meeting called by the National Committee of Pakistan India Forum for Peace
and Democracy. The anti-war forum at present consists of 12 Delhi based
human rights groups, women's groups, environmentalists, lawyers, trade
unions, university and school teachers, cultural workers, and other mass
organisations.
---------------------------------------------

# 3.

[The Times of India, 26.06.99]

War would be suicidal for both nations: Pakistani poet

By Ikram Ali

Lucknow: Rebel Pakistani poet John Elia said it would be suicidal for both
Pakistan and India if the Kargil skirmishes turn into a full-scale war.
The Vajpayee government, he felt, was guilty of initiating a nuclear race
in the sub-continent. India, he said, should not have tested the nuclear
bombs.

The poet doubted whether the opinion of intellectuals, artistes and poets
would create and atmosphere of mutual trust and goodwill. "Poets and
writers," said Elia, "have no role to play we have outlived our utility.
Maulana Azad, Josh Malihabadi, Allama Bukhari might have played a
significant role in the freedom struggle but the present crop has
virtually no role in this politically- dominated society. It is the
politicians who have strained the ties."

Asked whether he felt he should not have come here right now, Elia replied
in the negative. "I was here when Babri Masjid was demolished and the
communal atmosphere was surcharged. Even then I did not feel threatened. I
was invited here. Why should I be threatened?" He said there was always
trust and respect between the people of the two countries.
On poetry currently being written in Pakistan, Elia said: "It is generally
the poetry of the uprooted, written by those who have migrated from India
and also by those who have left villages for towns."
On contemporary Indian writing, he said: "Your poetry lacks totality and
universality. It also lacks depth. The stress is on lighter subjects." He
nevertheless had a few words of praise for Nida Fazli, Irfan Siddiqui,
Meraj Faizabadi and Krishna Bihari `Noor'.
--------------------------------------

# 4.
Joint Press Statement issued by the National Committees of Pakistan-India
Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy from Lahore and Delhi.

The military flare-up in Kargil has worsened the continuing tensions in
Jammu and Kashmir. The claim that the possession of nuclear weapons by
India and Pakistan would create a situation of deterrence and hence of
peace has been falsified and the hopes raised by the Lahore declaration
have been belied. In the nuclear environment in the region this
development has escalated the danger of war in the sub-continent.

The resort to aerial bombings so close to LOC has escalated the military
tensions between India and Pakistan. What is alarming is that this bombing
and armed operations are taking a toll of innocent civilian lives. This
flare-up coming so soon after the Lahore Declaration exposes the fragility
of the two Governments' commitment to Peace. So long as the Kashmir
question remains unresolved such flare-ups are likely to recur and
threaten to escalate in to full-fledged war including the danger of
nuclear holocaust.

The Forum demands immediate cessation of armed hostilities, bombings and
withdrawal of Indian and Pakistan troops and militants and the
demilitarisation of the LOC and creation of a demilitarised zone along the
LOC. Steps must be taken urgently to start discussions on the outstanding
issues with active participation of people from both sides of the LOC.

Issued by "Pakistan-India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy"
>From LAHORE AND DELHI
Date : 28.05.99

-------------------------------------

# 5.
Association of Peoples of Asia - Press Release

"We, the members and friends of `Association of Peoples of Asia', India
and Pakistan Chapters, make an earnest appeal to the Governments of India
and Pakistan to exercise restraint and stop hostilities on the Kashmir
front, and save our valuable resources for the betterment of the people,
specially the poor and the needy of both the countries.

Both the countries cannot afford such adventures. We also appeal to the
people of both the countries to build up a strong peace initiative to bring
moral pressure on their respective Governments. Human life on both sides is
precious; any killing is a loss to both our countries. Let us follow the
path of sanity and develop good neighbourly relations in order to solve
our problems."

India Chapter Signatories

1. Sri B. K. Nehru, Former Governor and Diplomat2. Maulana Wahiduddin
Khan, Director, Centre for Islamic Studies3. Sri Mrinal Sen, Member of
Parliament and Film Director4. Sri Kuldip Nayar, Member of Parliament and
Senior Journalist5. Ms. Shabana Azmi, Member of Parliament and Film
Actress 6. Ms. Nirmala Deshpande, Member of Parliament and Gandhian social
activists7. Dr. Kartar Singh Duggal, Member of Parliament and Writer8 . Sri
Jayant Malhotra, Member of Parliament and Industralist9. Sri Asghar Ali
Engineer, Well-known Writer10. Ms. Sonal Mansingh, Well-known artist11.
Prof. Imtiaz Ahmad, Academic (JNU)12. Prof. M.H. Qureshi, Academic (JNU)13.
Prof. K. D. Gangrade, Academic and sociologist 14 . Prof. N. Radhakrishnan,
Gandhian scholar and activist15. Rev. Valson Thampu, Theologian and
Academic16. Sri Sumit Chakravarti, Editor, Mainstream17. Prof. Kedar Nath
Singh, Academic and poet (JNU)18. Prof. Akhtarul Wase, Dean, Islamic
Studies, Jamia Millia and Chairman, Ajmer Darga Committee19. Sri
Vedpratap Vaidik, Journalist20. Prof. Namwar Singh, Academic and writer21.
Ms. Syeda Hameed, Writer22. Fr. Bento Rodrigues, educationist23. Dr.
Gagaprasad Vimal, writer

Pakistan Chapter Signatories

1. Mr. Shakil Ahmed Baloch, Member, National Assembly of Pakistan2. Dr
Zaki Hasan, Vice-Chancellor3. Dr. Mubarak Ali, Well-known historian 4. Mr
Tahir Muhammad Khan, Former Federal Minister5. Mr. M.B. Naqvi, Journalist6.
Mr. B. M. Kutty, Convenor, Pakistan Peace Coalition7. Mr. Abdul Khaliq
Junejo, prominent Sindhi leader8. Mr Rochi Ram, Adocate9. Maulana
Obaidullah Bhutto10. Mr. Akhtar Hussain, Advocate11. Mrs. Anis Haroon,
Women activist12. Mrs. Iqbal Sultana, Women activist13. Mr. Farid Awan, Pak
Workers Confederation14. Mr. Karamat Ali, Trade Unionist15. Mr. Usman
Balochy, Trade Unionist16. Mr. Sharafat Ali17. Mr. Mujhid Barelvi, writer
and journalist18. Mr. Basir Naveed, social activist19. Dr. Aly Ercelawn20.
Mr. Ghulam Kibria21. Miss Farhat Parveen22. Dr. M. A. Mehboob23. Dr. A.
Aziz24. Mr. Naseer Rizvi25. Ms. Sarah Siddiqui
-----------------------------

# 6.
The following press statement was issued by some citizens of Calcutta at
the initiative of some members of the Pakistan Indian Peoples' Forum for
Peace and Democracy, West Bengal chapter and was release to the press on
28.05.1999.

"We are deeply shocked and pained at the serious conflict situation
arising once again between India and Pakistan. This has definitely marred
the atmosphere of friendship created by the Lahore Declaration (1999) and
has shattered the great expectations roused by it. Any such conflict not
only means loss of lives but it also increases the economic burden on the
people of the two backward developing countries.

Hence we feel that:

1. Both Pakistan and India should coolly sit down to take stock of the
current situation and find out some peaceful permanent solution to the
conflict;2. 3. There should be a continuous dialogue between the two
governments so that never in future any farther misunderstanding
leading to violent or armed activities arise;4. 5. Since the
Kashmir issue is the main bone of contention between the two countries
a fresh and serious move should be taken to solve the problem. For
that matter both the governments and peoples of these two countries should
be involved in this challenging dialogue that would also include the
peoples of Kashmir on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC);6.
7. Pending the solution of the Kashmir problem both the governments should
immediately take up positive steps towards bilateral commerce, cultural
exchanges, information inflows and people to people contact."
1. Dr. Bishnu Mukherjee2. . Amit Chaakraborty3. Sagnik Chakravartty4.
Krishna Bandyopadhyay5. Dr. D. P. Sen6. Prof. Amalendu De7. Md. Sulaiman
Khurshid8. P. R. Ghosh9. Shyamal Nandi10. Madhab Banerjee11. Malay
Mukherjee12. Dr. Dilip Banerjee
--------------------------------
# 7.
Pakistan-India Peoples Forum for Peace & Democracy, Sind Chapter, Pakistan
PRESS RELEASE, 14 June 1999

A General Body meeting of Pakistan-India Peoples Forum for Peace &
Democracy, Sindh Chapter, held on 13th June 1999 at Hotel Embassy, Karachi
expressed grave concern at the fast-deteriorating state of relations
between Pakistan and India. In a resolution adopted unanimously, the Forum
expressed dismay at the fact that so soon after the much-applauded
Delhi-Lahore bus ride of Vajpayee and the Lahore Declaration of friendship
by the two Prime Ministers, the two countries are engaged in a mini-war
along the LOC in Kashmir.

The Forum noted that irrespective of which of the two governments made the
first move in Kargil Sector, one thing that cannot be denied is that
neither the people of Pakistan nor the people of India were taken into
confidence by their respective governments in triggering such a dangerous
development along the LOC that has the potential to spark a nuclear war in
South Asia with all its horrendous consequences, for the more than 1
billion human beings inhabiting the subcontinent.

The Forum called for an immediate cease-fire, withdrawal of all combatants
to their original positions, and strict observance of the Line of Control
and the provisions of the Simla Accord. The Forum urged the Governments of
Pakistan and India not to engulf the subcontinent in a nuclear holocaust
but resume the bilateral dialogue to find a peaceful solution to all
disputes, above all the Kashmir issue based on the freely expressed will
of the people of Kashmir, because peace between Pakistan and India is the
key to democracy, freedom and progress in South Asia.

Released by,
B. M. Kutty
Secretary

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