KARACHI, Aug 15: Renowned peace activists and President of Association of Peoples of Asia Kumari Nirmala Deshpande has stressed the need to strengthen the peace movement in both India and Pakistan which would help in de-escalation and creating peace in the subcontinent.

Ms Deshpande, who is former member of India’s Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) was speaking on “Prospects of peace in the subcontinent” at Sidco centre on Thursday organized by Pakistan Peace Coalition.

Referring to the peace movement in India she said they had taken the peace movement to villages which had changed the situation among rural masses who were no more supporter of war mongering slogans. That was why the BJP rulers had failed to rouse war hysteria and people were in favour of withdrawal of troops from the borders, she added.

“There is a need to raise similar voices and popularising peace movement in Pakistan and suppressing protagonists of hatred as it would help in promoting peace,” Ms Deshpande said.

Calling for opening borders for free trade and people to people contacts she pointed out that she had tried to cross the border on foot but could not make it due to obstruction created by Indian side.

Ms Deshpande, who had organised scores of peace rallies, conferences, and seminars in India for spreading the message of peace between India and Pakistan, accused the Gujarat state government of its direct involvement for whatever have been happening in the state.

She also condemned Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Prishad for killings and arson. Extending apology for the tragedy she said even the life of the peace delegation which she had led to Gujarat was in danger. She lauded the role of Indian army in contrast to the Gujarat Police who failed to protect Muslims despite call for help by Muslim women.

Pointing out that monks in India had formed their own organization and had announced that they would not allow BD and VHP to enter Ayodhya as the two parties were not representative of Hindu religion. They had also announced that they would visit Gujarat and peace activists would also join them on their visit.

Referring to coming elections in Gujarat she warned that if in the polls Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Prishad were returned, it would turn out to be a catastrophe. However our efforts would be that only secular and democratic forces should win.

She said that communal harmony and peace must go together in the subcontinent and they could not be separated from each other.

PPC President M.B. Naqvi said that there was need to reject the whole nuclear philosophy as there was no point in saying that they would not use first right to strike.

Anis Haroon said that peace movement was divided in groups in India and Pakistan. She called for launching a united peace movement to play effective role.

Karamat Ali said that peace groups should develop a position of their own on Kashmir and make it popular.

Earlier PPC chairman B.M. Kutty presenting welcome address introduced the chief guest.