[Ludhiana Newsline - April 10, 2005]
Peace road stretches from Delhi to Multan
Padyatra reaches city : Resentment after elegates from Pakistan not allowed to take part in the march.
amrita chaudhry
Ludhiana, April 9: WHEN the governments keep people away, the human spirits win. This is precisely what has happened after the Pakistan government refused to allow nine Pakistanis to participate in the ongoing Indo-Pak peace padyatra. For the audience at the auditorium of Ramgarhia Girls College today, the voice of Lahore-based Sayeeda Deep was loud and clear. ‘‘We may have been refused permission to participate, but this has only strengthened our conviction to take this yatra on from Wagah to Multan.’’
The writing on the wall is clear — people on both sides of the border want stronger ties. Sayeeda, a social activist in her 50s who works for the underprivileged, is part of the group that is working for a pro-democracy environment in Pakistan, and want people’s participation in the peace process.
Said Sandeep Pandey of National Alliance of People’s Movements, who is leading this yatra, ‘‘These people were to participate in this peace walk and had visas too. But today they were told by their government that they could not be a part of this yatra. Similarly we too will not be allowed to enter Pakistan. But it has been decided that this march, which began from New Delhi and has to culminate at Multan, will carry on as planned. The Pakistanis will take forward this march.’’
Pandey adds that the march in pro-democracy, and the Pakistan government is not ready for it yet. Had we travelled through Pakistan, this would have strengthened the people there who are fighting for democracy. But the march will reach Multan. It is time that the peace process is taken away from the hands of the governments and given to ordinary people.’’
He regretted that while the Pakistan government can give permission for cricket matches, visits to religious places or symposiums, a peace march is not permitted.
Peace marchers given a warm welcome
The peace marchers of National Alliance of People’s Movement received a warm reception at Punjab Agricultural University today. They were welcomed by students, faculty members and the non-teaching employees of the university. A welcome programme was also organised for them at Jacob Hall.
A play titled Te Rome Balda Raha written and directed by Sompal Heera was also staged. Journalist and human rights activist Prafull Bidwai also spoke on the occasion and urged people to fight for peace. In the evening, a seminar on ‘Disarmament of South-East Asia’ was organised by the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development.
