A Resolve Against Terror A Resolve for Peace

A RESOLVE AGAINST TERROR
A RESOLVE FOR PEACE


We, the undersigned citizens of India, condemn the horrific bomb blasts that have taken a tragic toll of life across the country in recent times. We express our solidarity with the bereaved families.

When senseless brutality kills our sisters and brothers it becomes easier to forget this country's great strength: the immense diversity of our people. Yet this is when we most need to remember it. For it is in this diversity that we will find ways of countering terrorism.

Our future depends on making India both strong and just by reaching out to each other, by making more effort to understand each other. Our determination to do this will defeat terrorists, as well as purveyors of hate-propaganda, and thus secure our democracy.

We renew our resolve to fight terrorism

٠ by recognizing and constantly remembering that we are all in this together,

٠ by working together to demand that:

our Government takes immediate and decisive action to re-train, re-equip and revamp the law enforcement bodies. This needs to be done not only to make them more effective in catching culprits but also to ensure that human rights and civil liberties are not violated in the process. Random arrests and prolonged incarceration, without due process of law, undermines democracy and can breed future terrorists.

Government agencies and all political parties counter all forms of terror of those who plant bombs, of those who spread hate propaganda and of those who trigger riots, and Government and judiciary ensures uniform justice to victims of bomb blasts and riots.

Terror breeds more terrorism when it is left unpunished or wrongly punished. Terrorists win only when their atrocities narrow our minds and sow suspicion in our hearts.

We can and will triumph if we all stand together with two powerful weapons: great pride in our rich diversity and unflinching unity at all times.

August 6th, 2008.


Signed: