The Hindu : New Delhi News : Call for mutual bonding among South Asian countries

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Call for mutual bonding among South Asian countries

Staff Reporter

Activists of over 40 organisations gather to condemn terror attacks in Mumbai

The day was also celebrated as ‘South Asian Women’s Day’

NEW DELHI: In the wake of the recent violence seen across South Asia, a large number of women and men from over 40 organisations in the region gathered at Jamia Millia Islamia on Sunday to condemn the terror attacks in Mumbai and take a collective pledge to create a region filled with mutual respect and peaceful co-existence.

Co-organised by organisations from India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the day was also celebrated as “South Asian Women’s Day”.

The occasion was aimed at strengthening the spirit of bonding and oneness among South Asian people in an hour of deep crisis and destruction.

The South Asian Women’s Day for peace, justice, human rights and democracy is celebrated annually on November 30 since the past five years to highlight the voices of South Asian women, their rights and their belief in peace.

Speaking about this event, advisor of a South Asian regional network “Sangat” Kamla Bhasin said: “Five years ago many of us in the women’s movement decided to focus on the need to build peace in the region. But today we are being challenged on many fronts and the brutality that we witnessed in Mumbai is a grim reminder of the manner in which the people of the region are being torn apart, emotionally traumatised and trapped in a vicious cycle of hate, intolerance and distrust.”

Sharing her experience Centre for Alternative Dalit Media secretary Wajida Tabassum said that if governments and society want to fight against divisive forces in the region as a whole then it was essential to mainstream the concerns of women from marginalised communities such as Dalits and minorities.

Representing the youth, a Delhi University student Sahar Khan urged all young women to use this critical moment to raise their voice against the mindless violence that was perpetuated in the past few days in Mumbai. “We must use occasions like the South Asian Women’s Day to condemn such acts of violence, strengthen peace and rise above all kinds of disagreements and differences that divides the region and makes it prone to the worst forms of violence and social injustice. I urge all young women across South Asia to use this critical moment to raise their voice against the mindless violence we witnessed in Mumbai,” she added.

Speaking on behalf of the Confederation of Indian Industry, its Public Policy head Vikram Badshah said: “It is time for all Indians to realise that not only the nation but the region is at stake and we must all stand united in the search for regional peace and harmony.”

Speaking on the media and civil society partnership in this trying hour, Senior Editor, CNN-IBN, Sagarika Ghose said that as a channel they were prepared to be part of any civil society initiative that seeks to strengthen the fight for justice, tolerance and build a strong united front against anyone who wants to divide us or weaken our resolve as a cohesive nation, region and society.

The event also featured a cultural programme of dance-cum-music performance by Jamia Millia Islamia students from Afghanistan and song by Women League of Burma. Some of the themes in the event included “Going beyond agony to collective action: Hearing the people” and “South Asia Women’s Day: Building bridges.”

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