ISLAMABAD, Aug 12: India must see to the underlying factors that have produced troubled relations with all the neighbouring countries and make serious efforts aimed at fashioning a peace-oriented strategy that would bring harmony to the volatile region of South Asia.
These observations were made by renowned peace-activist, Chairperson Association of Peoples of India and Pakistan, former member of Indian Parliament Nirmala Deshpande at a seminar on: “Indo- Pakistan relations: Prospects for peace” organized by The Network for Consumer Protection (NCP) on Monday.
Calling on both Indian and Pakistani leadership to realize the message of peace, she said: Goli nahi Boli [No bullet but talks] was the only way forward for nuclear-armed rivals to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution over Kashmir.
“Unless hearts and minds of two nations are brought closer, the blighted subcontinent would continue to lag far behind modern world”, she noted adding: “Dialogue at all cost and at all levels must be initiated for the sake of millions of people who are dying in droves due to hunger, disease and depression”.
Emphasizing the point about countless similarities and limited differences, which exists between the two antagonists, she stressed the need for lifting of ban on flights, railway and road linkages, and added “Humanity cannot be divided on the basis of religion and politics and it is imperative for both India and Pakistan to share the secrets of their success stories”.
Expressing her doubts about the validity of Indian claim of endless infiltration-across-border, she said a negotiated settlement to the Kashmir dispute was the only solution. Urging both countries to pay heed to the cry of Kashmiris who want tranquility, welfare and justice, she called for opening of borders for free trade, people-to-people contacts and good sporting ties.
While imploring the officialdom to get rid of rigid mindsets, she asked establishments of both countries to allow artists, farmers and journalists for unfettered access to the kind of places they wanted to visit.
Reflecting on the reasons behind the phenomenal rise of fundamentalism in the region, she deplored state’s inability to curb the negative influence being spread by extremist elements in both countries.
“Action of fundamentalist organizations engenders fillip to the cause of fundamentalists of other country and state must make sure this trend in each country comes to an end.”
During her comprehensive presentation, sectarian killings in Pakistan and systematic extermination of Muslims of Gujrat came under sever criticism.
Lashing out at the recent killings in Gujrat, she gave a detailed account of the tragedy, while referring to the findings of a report prepared by Indian National Human Rights Commission.
SHE SAID: “Indian State-sponsored genocide of Gujratis had bruised its international image. The barbarity of ethnic cleansing sounded death-knell to the ideas, thoughts and actions great Mahatama Gandhi was known for”.
In addition, she criticized Hindu extremism. “The BJP has failed to work for a healthy communal bond with all other minorities. The Vishnu Hindu Parishad (VHP) should be admitted into a mental hospital”.
A leading member of Gandhi Foundation in her final analysis said, “Time was of great essence. Both nations have limited capacity to be patient. In the interest of over one fifth of humanity, India and Pakistan must withdraw their forces to the peacetime location, hold dialogue and give peace a fair chance.” At the end of her talk, she raised the slogan Jay Jagat, “Victory to the world”.
Appreciating a positive change in the Indian print and electronic media on the issue of communal violence in Gujrat, she particularly mentioned the constructive mediator role of media.
She insisted similar attitude must be shown in helping sort out differences between two South Asian foes. However, she was equivocal in lamenting the way Gujrati media portrayed a completely biased picture of the tragic events that took place in Gujrat. She called the media response outrageous and awful that facilitated in spreading venom and rancour against Muslim Indian brothers and sisters.
Ms Deshpande mentioned the importance of consolidating a broad-based people movement dedicated to the cause of peace in the subcontinent. In this connection she praised the work of Indo-Pakistan Peace Forum, Pakistan’s Citizen’s Peace Committee and Pakistan Peace Coalition. She said integration of these initiatives is vital for a forward-looking S.Asia.—Ziaur Rehman Hashmi