Persistent Tension Between India And Pakistan Can Lead To Nuclear Catastrophe: IDPD

Says, Take Steps To Defuse Before It Is Too Late
Ludhiana, May 30, 2017: Expressing concern at the increasing tension between India and Pakistan, various speakers at an interactive session organised by the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) and the Social Thinkers Forum on the subject "Perspectives for peace and harmony in Indian subcontinent" said that steps have to be taken to defuse this tension otherwise it could have grave consequences. This is particularly so because low level conflicts can escalate into full-fledged war and with both the countries in possession of nuclear weapons, the threat of their use cannot be ruled out. Such an eventuality would be disastrous not only for India and Pakistan but would have far reaching impact on rest of the world because of climatic effects. Whereas people of both countries want peace, some fundamentalist and communal forces on both sides are trying hard to disturb the situation. It is an irony that both countries are among the lowest in human develop index and hunger index but both are biggest buyers of arms. This conflict situation benefits only the Military Industrial Complex who is making huge profits by selling arms. While democratic institutions in Pakistan are very weak, India is the largest democracy. Therefore it becomes the duty of Indian government to take lead in restoring the talks without any precondition otherwise things will get more complicated with the OROB coming up. It is a historical fact that when the governments fail to address real issues of the people they resort to project and propagate pseudo nationalism and hatred against each other. This can be seen in Pakistan as well India. Continuously raising the bogey of Kashmir, violations of ceasefire, abetting terrorism by Pakistan are steps to divert people's attention from real issues. Similarly carrying out huge propaganda of military operations - surgical strikes are meant only for political gains. Army chief’s statement on Kashmir is uncalled for and will be taken as only a provocative action. Social harmony in India is at its lowest ebb in our country and this is affecting our strength and security. During the last three years there is concerted effort to make communities stand against each other in the name of Gau Raksha and other frivolous issues. Those questioning the motive are being dubbed as antinational. Groups of Lumpens are being used to take law in their hands. Nationalism does not mean hatred against others but respecting each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty and developing together. Our foreign policy has never been so much failure as it is today. But unfortunately the present RSS guided government wants to thrive on hatred and hegemony by destroying our composite culture. This could have grave implications. Those in power at the centre never shouted a single slogan during the freedom struggle rather connived with the British. Their only icon Damodar Savarkar also begged mercy from the rulers and promised to work in unison with them. Later he gave two nation theory which was picked up by the British and the Muslim league. It is high time that all secular and democratic forces come together to foil the nefarious designs and strengthen peace and harmony in Indian subcontinent. Those who addressed include, Prof. Jagmoan Singh, Dr Arun Mitra, Dr Balbir Shah, M S Bhatia, Dr Rajinder Pal Aulukh, Shri I S Sodhi. Prominent among those present include Com Kartar Singh Bowani, D P Maur, Ramesh Rattan, Dr Gurpreet Rattan, Dr Shakti Kumar, Dr Tejinder Singh, Adv. Naval Chibber, Swaroop Singh and Anod Kumar.