Indians, Pakistanis, Kashmiris and UK citizens of South Asian origin issue a statement calling on the Indian and Pakistani governments to work for peace not war

The suicide bomb attack on 14th February, in which 40 jawans of the Indian CRPF were killed at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, has been seized on by the BJP government even while the families mourn the deaths of their loved ones, and in many cases against their wishes, to whip up nationalist anger before the general election due to start in April. In doing so the India’s BJP government led by Narendra Modi is recklessly taking the country to the brink of war with Pakistan.

We condemn the Indian government’s warmongering response to Pulwama (which reached the level of an air-raid across the line of control in Kashmir) and its cynical and shameless use of the deaths of the jawans for electioneering.

We condemn also the warmongering and attacks with which the Pakistani military has responded and urge it to stop further escalation. We call upon the Pakistan government to assert civilian control over its armed forces. The failure to do so is a permanent threat to peace in South Asia

A war between two nuclear-armed countries like India and Pakistan, however limited or short-lived, portends grave danger to the people of the whole South Asian region

We condemn the wave of attacks on Kashmiris – students, traders and others – across India incited by the BJP and carried out by its affiliates. We call for prompt and severe punishment of the perpetrators, and of colluding officials and police officers.

We condemn the widespread expulsions and arrests of Kashmiri students on the basis of alleged “anti-national” social media posts. We condemn also the death threats against those who have criticised the BJP government’s Islamophobic and anti-Kashmiri policies

We call on the Indian government not to accept Israel’s offer of “unlimited” assistance and not to allow Israel to involve itself in the internal affairs of South Asia.

No War between India and Pakistan! We stand together for peace!

South Asia Solidarity Group London

Awami Workers Party Pakistan

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (UK)

Pakistan Solidarity Campaign (UK)

Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) International Department

General and Municipal Boilermakers (GMB) Trade Union Race

All India Progressive Women’s Association

London Black women’s Project

National Union of Students (UK) Black Students Campaign

SOAS India Society

Concerned Students and South Asia Society, Goldsmiths, University of London