Indo-Pak peace activists issue joint statement urging calm and justice after Pahalgam tragedy

By A Representative

In the wake of the devastating Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, leading journalists, intellectuals, and peace activists from India and Pakistan have issued a joint statement condemning the violence and calling for restraint, credible investigation, and renewed dialogue between the two nations.

On 22 April, five armed militants attacked tourists in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deadliest assault on civilians in India since 2008. The Resistance Front, initially claiming responsibility, later retracted, while the attack has sharply escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to border skirmishes and diplomatic expulsions.

In their urgent press release, the peace activists unequivocally condemned the targeting of innocent tourists and demanded a thorough, impartial investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible. They expressed grave concern over the rapid deterioration of India-Pakistan relations and warned against the dangers of war hysteria and military escalation.

“We are of the considered view that fanning war hysteria and perpetuating ongoing tension into any kind of military conflict would be extremely destructive for our countries and peace-loving people. The logic of dialogue must prevail over the madness of the weapons of destruction,” the statement read.

The joint appeal, signed by prominent figures from both countries-including Imtiaz Alam (SAFMA), Mujeeb ur Rehman Shami, Saleema Hashmi, O.P. Shah, John Dayal, Kumar Ketkar, and others-urged both governments to de-escalate and return to the negotiating table for a peaceful resolution of disputes.

The statement comes as international actors, including the UN and several major powers, have called for restraint and dialogue, while both nations have taken retaliatory diplomatic and military steps. The activists’ call highlights the urgent need for calm, justice for the victims, and a renewed commitment to peace in the subcontinent.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Search This Blog