Eminent citizens of the country have appealed for restoration of harmony in Jammu and Kashmir. The following is
their statement:—
“We are deeply pained by the tragic turn of events in Jammu and Kashmir that has led to the killings of several citizens in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu division. The authorities must intervene effectively to ensure there is no recurrence and also address substantive issues.
“We view with grave concern the threat that is now perceptible to secular traditions of both Kashmir and Jammu divisions. The deepening alienation of people from each other and from the government requires immediate address. This is the moment for civil society and concerned citizens from all walks of life to assert itself and restore the social harmony, which has hitherto characterised the state.
“We appeal to residents of both Jammu and Kashmir to work together towards reconciliation and areas of common good which are many and which all well-wishers of J&K crave. We appeal to the authorities to give every support to the many in Jammu and Kashmir who are striving for reconciliation and a more hopeful future. And we ask the Indian public to realize the gravity of what is happening in J & K and support all those working for a wise way forward.”
— Rajmohan Gandhi, Syeda Hameed, B.G. Deshmukh, Sushobha Barve, Salman Haidar, Tara Bhattacharya Gandhi, Kapil Kak, B.G. Verghese, Wajahat Habibullah, M.K. Raina, Kuldip Nayyar, Shanker Ghose, Amit Singh Chadha, Suresh Vazirani, Teesta Setalvad, Shabana Azami, Javed Akhtar, Javed Anand, Rahul Bose, Anil Dharkar, Arvind Krishnaswamy, Sajid
Rashid
