Joint Peace Demonstrations in India and Pakistan

Submitted by martin on 10 June, 2002 - 10:04

By Farooq Tariq
Responding to a call from the Left parties of Pakistan, the Communist Party of India (ML) Socialist Unity Center of India, CPIML(Red Flag), and CPIML (Unity Initiative) have agreed to organise peace demonstrations on 13th June.
It will be for the first time in the history of Pakistan and Indian Left parties that there will be rallies on the same day and on the same issue across Indian sub continent.
Demonstrations across India will be held on the day calling for an immediate end to the war-like situation, pull back the troops from the borders and an end to imperialist intervention in the region. At Lahore, there will be a peace demoonstration in front of Lahore Press Club. The representatives of four left parties, National Workers Party, Labour Party Pakistan, Communist Mazdoor Kissan party and Pakistan Peoples Party (Shaheed Bhotto), met in Lahore and decided to hold a joint peace rally. Already several national trade unions federations have agreed to support the peace demo.
A call by Labour Party Pakistan to CPIML for the organisation of the peace rallies on the same day was accepted by the leadership and CPIML is now in in discussion with other Left forces to organise joint rallies on the same day acros India.

Labour Party of Pakistan statement
Peace Demonstration against the possible war between India and Pakistan
Four progressive political parties of Pakistan have decided to organize a joint peace demonstration on 13th June. The parties are National Workers Party, Labour Party Pakistan, Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party and Peoples Party Shaheed Bhotto group.
Several trade unions and social organization will join this first unity demonstration of the parties of the left in Pakistan.
Similar actions will be taken in other cities of of Pakistan. The left parties have appealed to the Indian left parties, trade unions and social organizations to take up the question of peace and demonstrate the majority wish of the masses on Indian sub continent as a peaceful region.
Details:
Demonstration for Peace
Thursday, 13th June 2002 at 5 pm
at Lahore Press Club Shimla Pehari Lahore.
Our slogans:
Anti War - Pro-Peace - Dialogue - Disarmament
Kashmir Solution as Kashmiris want
Anti Religious Extremism
Exit of Foreign Troops
Anti Nuclear Weapons
The demonstration will be lead by Abid Hasan Minto, Farooq Tariq, Syed Azam, Dr. Mubashir Hasan.
Come and join the peace demonstration. If you are not in Lahore, please send a solidarity message to be read at the demonstration.
Comradely,
Yousaf Baluch
information secretary
Labour Party Pakistan

Letter from the CPIML leadership to LPP
Dear Comrade Farooq Tariq
Our party wholeheartedly welcome the timely and bold initiative of Pakistan left parties of June 13 joint demonstration for peace. Your four slogans expresses the aspirations of the people of both Pakistan and India. Positively responding to the four parties' call our party decided to observe June 13 as anti-war day and organize demonstrations across the country on the same day on the same slogan, reflecting the single voice of the people across the Line of Control [the de facto Indo-Pakistani border in Kashmir].
In the meanwhile we are working to unite other left Parties. So far four left parties, Socialist Unity Center of India, CPIML(Red Flag), and CPIML (Unity Initiative) have agreed to join with us in the demonstrations. Thus so far four parties has united on June 13 for the demonstration for peace.
We are pasting two statements below for your information. Kindly keep in touch with us.
Comradely yours, P.V.Srinivas, in charge of International Relations, CPIML (Liberation)

Press release
CPI(ML)'s Reaction on Proposed Deployment of US-UK Troops
The reported proposal for the deployment of a US-UK 500-strong helicopter-borne special force to monitor the Line of Control is deeply disturbing. It seems the much-trumpeted 'success' of India's coercive diplomacy can only be measured in terms of increasing institutionalization of the Bush-Blair coalition's intervention in the subcontinent.
The CPI(ML) calls upon all peace-loving democratic and patriotic Indians to reject the Bush-Blair move in no uncertain terms. Both the US and UK are busy fuelling the growing arms race in the subcontinent. They are also guilty of aggravating the war-like build-up in the region by asking their diplomatic staff and other tourists to return.
The proposed intervention of Anglo-Yankee armed forces and the suggested pull-out of normal diplomatic staff and other civilian American and British citizens are two sides of the same coin of growing imperialist intervention in the region.
The present crisis follows largely from India's refusal to break the diplomatic deadlock and resume direct bilateral dialogue with Pakistan. With bilateral diplomatic channels being successively closed down and war-hysteria between the two countries reaching a crescendo amidst free exchange of nuclear warnings, the arrogant rulers of India and Pakistan are only inviting greater external interference.
Peace-loving people in India and Pakistan must therefore exert greater pressure on their rulers for an early resumption of bilateral dialogue with a view to de-escalating tension and keeping the imperialist powers at bay.
Dipankar Bhattacharya

Statement by CPIML
Demonstration for Peace both in India and Pakistan
Dear Comrades,
It has been decided in consultation with the Left in Pakistan to organize demonstrations for peace in both India and Pakistan on 13 June. Four Left and democratic parties in Pakistan, including the National Workers Party, Labour Party of Pakistan, Communist Mazdoor Kisan Party and People's Party (Shaheed Bhutto group) are spearheading this campaign in Pakistan. We should also try and involve other Left parties or democratic organisations in this campaign wherever possible.
The main slogans of this anti-war campaign are as follows: No More War between India and Pakistan; Indians and Pakistanis Need Peace and not War; India and Pakistan Must Resume Direct Bilateral Dialogue to Defuse Tension; Say No to Bush-Blair Imperialist Intervention in the Subcontinent.
As part of this Day of Anti-War Action, we should organize peace marches and demonstrations including dharnas and similar forms in all state capitals and major centers. It should be widely propagated that this programme is being held in both India and Pakistan and that it reflects the genuine voice of the peoples of the two countries.
Central Committee CPI(ML)

This website uses cookies, you can find out more and set your preferences here.
By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.