*INDIA PAKISTAN FRIENDSHIP AND PEACE MARCH*
*Ahmedabad to Naderwai-IliyaBet, 19 to 30 June, 2018*
In 1947 the country was divided by the foreign rulers by
playing a game of divide and rule to which the religious fundamentalists
fell prey. India and Pakistan since then have a checkered history and
uneasy relationship sometimes climaxing in wars and violent conflagrations.
While the governments prefer to maintain adversarial
relationship, which now sustains certain vested interests on both sides,
the common people and business interests on two sides want peace. They do
not want conflicts in which people die. The soldiers dying on both sides
after all come from mostly modest middle class rural backgrounds. While the
leaders can meet when they choose to, the common people do not have control
over their destiny.
We believe if the governments cannot solve the disputes between
the two countries then the people should take the initiative. If the common
people of two countries are allowed to meet then over a period of time
peace and harmony will prevail. We urge the two governments to facilitate
the meeting of common people from two sides by granting them passports and
visas easily. Since people of two sides of border share a common culture
they can play an important role where the governments have failed.
Along the Indian border with Pakistan there are openings
between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad in Kashmir, at Wagah-Attari in Punjab and
at Munabao-Khokrapar in Rajasthan-Sindh. Gujarat doesn’t have an opening
into Pakistan even though a number of fisherfolk from both sides land up in
each other’s jails. The people in Bhuj, Kutch have had intimate
relationships with people from the other side and given an opportunity
trade can flourish between the two areas.
If the border between Gujarat and Sindh is opened either at
Khavda or Nada Bet the people from two sides will get an opportunity to
meet easily and there will be promotion of trade, tourism and ultimately
peace and friendship will be strengthened. The fisherfolk whose relatives
land in jail on other side can easily travel across to find out their well
being and make an effort to get them released. It is in the interest of
common people that borders are opened up.
If people of two countries are allowed to meet freely an
atmosphere of peace and harmony will be created in which it will be easier
to resolve the outstanding disputes too. When our defence expenses will go
down resources will be freed up for developmental activities which will
benefit the poor on both sides.
When the two Koreas can end their enmity after almost as long a
period as India-Pakistan animosity has existed, why can the two South Asian
neighbours not achieve the same feat?
We urge the two governments to replace the military ceremony on
Wagah-Attari every evening with a peace ceremony where people are allowed
to meet and celebrate peace, harmony and friendship. Such a model of peace
ceremony can then be replicated on all border openings.
We also urge the governments of India and Pakistan to create a situation in
which ultimately all restrictions on travel across the border are removed
and people are allowed to meet freely. This will be a great service to the
humanity.
Sanjay Tula, Mehsana, 9426388234, [email protected]
Kausharali Saiyed, Ahmedabad, 9904150217, [email protected]
Sandeep Pandey, 079 66324953, 0522 4242830 (Lucknow),[email protected]
Organisations endorsing the India-Pakistan Friendship and Peace March:
Pakistan India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy, Aaghaz-e-Dosti,
Minority Coordination Committee, Gujarat, Gujarat Lok Samiti, Bandhkam
Mazdoor Sangathan, Pakistan Institute for Labour Education and Research,
Karachi, National Alliance of People’s Movements, Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal,
All India Secular Forum, Manthan Samayiki, Kolkata, Jharkhand Nagrik Prayas,
sacw.net, Confederation of Voluntary Agencies, Hyderabad, Hamari Awaz,
Insaf Foundation, Gujarat Mazdoor Panchayat, Khudai Khidmatgar, Socialist
Party (India)
*INDIA PAKISTAN FRIENDSHIP AND PEACE MARCH ROUTE*
*Ahmedabad to Naderwai-IliyaBet, 19 to 30 June, 2018*
Date
From
To
Distance
(in km)
Contact
19/6/18
Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad
Kalol
27
20/6/18
Kalol
Nandasan
22
21/6/18
Nandasan
Mehsana
26
22/6/18
Mehsana
Sihi
30
23/6/18
Sihi
Patan
25
24/6/18
Patan
Roda
26
25/6/18
Roda
Thara
17
26/6/18
Thara
Diyodar
18
27/6/18
Diyodar
Bhabhar
25
28/6/18
Bhabhar
Suigam
27
29/6/18
Suigam
Nadeswari Mata
20
30/6/18
Nadeswari Mata
Pakistan Border
27
Total distance 290 km
Villages on opposite side of border in Pakistan: Jetli, Asani, Didva,
Bartala, Bhodesar, Churiya, City: Nagarparkar
Appeal to Make Financial Contribution for the March
Please make the India Pakistan Friendship and Peace March
successful by contributing towards meeting the expenses of organising the
March. You may make a financial contribution by using the following bank
account details.
Name of Account: Socialist Party (India)
Bank: Allahabad Bank
Branch: Hazratganj, Lucknow, U.P.
Account Number: 50084256339
IFSC: ALLA0210062 (there is a zero following second A and two zeros
consecutively)
When you make a financial contribution to the abovementioned
account please inform Sharad Patel, 9506533722 or
[email protected]
Attachments area
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Peace Is Doable
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