The Hindu : New Delhi News : Youngsters join hands against communalism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 08, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Youngsters join hands against communalism

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, APRIL 7. It was an occasion to salute the idealism and enthusiasm of the next generation at the ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy) office here today. On an unusual mission of peace, 25 youngsters are travelling to 50 cities across the country to battle communal forces and keep the dream of secular and democratic India alive.

Part of Youth for Peace, a group launched under the banner of ANHAD, these young people are determined to get their voice heard. Flagging off the rally, veteran theatre personality Zohra Segal said: "When I heard that these young people are going to travel across India to talk about communalism, I thought nothing could be more beautiful. I asked them how they would be able to cover 40 cities in a month. They told me that they would sleep every third night. I think that is a supreme sacrifice and I have faith in them. I believe that message will reach villages and people will realise that we are Indians first."

Disturbed by what they believe is communalisation of politics and the spread of fascist ideology, these youngsters have come from as far as Kerala to as close as Kashmir to express themselves. "We are different in many ways. But we have come together to openly oppose communalism and fascism, which is enshrined in the beliefs of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Sangh Parivar. This journey will also be an exploration of hope. We will be meeting peace groups from all over the country and will establish links with them so that we have a mass network to fight against communalism," stated Kandala Singh.

During the course of their journey, these children will travel to big cities like Mumbai as well as small towns like Jabalpur and Godhra. Carrying the message of peace, harmony and brotherhood, they want to make other young people aware of their concerns and ask them to vote for secularism.

"We want to remind the country that these are the same forces which assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. We need to save our country from these forces. We have come together for only one purpose and that is to fight this challenge which arises from communalism," stated Manan from Gujarat.

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