Eminent citizens, activists join Peace March

Hyderabad: Eminent citizens and activists on Sunday joined a peace march in the heart of Hyderabad, calling for communal harmony and peace

The activists marched from Babu Jagjivan Ram statue near Lal Bahadur Stadium in Basheerbagh to the Babasaheb Ambedkar statue near Tank Bund. The march was organised by Telangana for Peace and Unity (TPU), a broad platform of citizens and people’s organisations.

The marchers carried posters with messages such as “we stand united for peace”, “say no to communal hatred” and forwarding a letter to the Chief Minister to maintain peace. The marchers in unison recited the preamble of the Constitution and ended by reading out a common resolution.

Prof. Rama Melkote, activist, who took part in the march, said, “It is time for people of civil society to join hands, raise their voice against authoritarianism and religious bigotry to restore democracy and preserve the spirit and Constitutional morality.”

Prof. Padmaja Shaw, a writer, said families cannot earn a living and educate their children when they live in fear of communal trouble and hatred.
Khalida Parveen of Amoonat Society said: “We will give a call for peace within our own localities... Education, employment, housing and health are our public issues – not religion.”

V. Sandhya of Progressive Organisation for Women said tensions were being created in Hyderabad that is known for its peaceful atmosphere. “This is creating insecurity among the people," she said. The first resolve should be to prevent riots in Hyderabad or any part of Telangana by enlisting people to become vanguards of peace, said Confederation of Voluntary Association’s Mazher Hussain.

The march was in solidarity of all those who want peace, said Sister Lissy of Telangana Domestic Workers Union, Kiran Vissa of Rythu Swarajya Vedika and Sara Mathew of Sankalp Women’s Support Alliance spoke of the need for solidarity and to speak out against hate, misinformation and calls for violence.

Meera Sanghamitra of National Alliance of People’s Movements said recent developments in the state showed a very disturbing pattern and said those who believe in peaceful co-existence ensure that the atmosphere is not vitiated.

Imran Siddiqui, tribal rights activist: “The Ganga-Jamuna tehzeeb is a major feature of Hyderabad, and it is also an important part of the brand image. Preserving this is very important.”