Journalists and social media users appealed to use their platforms ethically and responsibly rather than stoking controversy
NEW DELHI – The Southasia Peace Action Network (Sapan), a joint platform of peace activists, has made an urgent plea to India and Pakistan to stop the war immediately. It also urged journalists and social media users to use their platforms ethically and responsibly rather than stoking controversy.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the network expressed solidarity with all those categorically condemning any form of violent extremism or ‘terrorism’ and against the cowardly targeting of unarmed civilians, for any reason.
“The communal and toxic weaponising of religions currently feeding frenzy in Pakistan and India, amplified by media and social media, gives the illusion of a consensus for war,” it said.
“We urge the international community to stand in solidarity with the peoples of South Asia.
“We call upon journalists and social media users to engage with their platforms responsibly and ethically and not fan the fires. The governments of India and Pakistan must behave responsibly. Any war between these two nuclear-armed nations would be disastrous not just for the people of those countries but for the region and global peace,” the statement said.
It urged the people of India and Pakistan to hold their governments accountable and resist any speech or actions that feed war hysteria.
“We call on all those who believe that peace, not war, is the way forward, to speak out against the politics of hate, violence, and vengeance, and to stand up for dialogue, cooperation, and a shared future of peace and co-existence,” the statement concluded.
