HUMANIST MOVEMENT ASIA

Delhi, 03 May 2008

PRESS RELEASE

India – Pakistan Relations : Time for a new beginning

 
Ever since the Britishers left the divided and wounded Indian shores, people on both sides of the border (India and Pakistan) have seen and faced plenty of violence. This useless violence has resulted in tragedy for many families on both sides. All this has no future, other than serving the interest of weapon suppliers.

Human being has learnt that Violence has no future and it brings only misery for all involved/targeted. Both the Indian and Pakistan Governments have announced their wishes for permanent and durable peace on the borders and the time has come for these wishes to turn into reality. Increased People to people contacts have shown abundant feelings on both sides for peace and normal living among the citizens of both Nations.

It is clear : People are sick and tired of the violence, they want Peace and nothing else.

Gandhi is now recognized and followed the world-over and 02 October 2007 was celebrated joyfully by people on both sides of the border as International Day of Nonviolence. Taking Gandhi's teaching of Nonviolence, its time that both the Governments begin taking independent (of weapon suppliers), sincere and practical steps to begin the end of violence on/from both the sides.

Humanists feel that the time to give Peace a chance has come and this opportunity must not be lost. Change is in the air and this opportunity is the right one for both the sides.

Taking example of the Bolivian President Honorable Evo Morales who announced the unilateral renunciation of war as a tool of conflict resolution with its neighbors, both the Indian and Pakistan Governments should make a similar announcement (without waiting for the other side to do it first) and follow this with concrete daily steps to make Peace happen in real life for peoples on both sides.