Bangladesh Bharat Pakistan People’s Forum organized a protest rally on December 19 in Kolkata, to oppose terrorist attacks on the people of Mumbai and other places, warmongering and the evil designs of imperialism.

Speakers at the rally denounced the brutal terrorist attacks on the Indian High Commission at Kabul, the Marriot Hotel in Islamabad, the terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26 and other places in India. They pointed out that these attacks were sponsored by the state, directly or indirectly, and did not benefit the people in any way. On the contrary, these events directly benefit imperialism, which is coming forward as the ‘rescuer’ and interfering in the affairs of India and Pakistan. US imperialism is trying to stoke up a war between India and Pakistan in order to advance its own geo-political aims and also to boost the markets for its armaments industry. In the context of the present global crisis of capitalism, imperialism is also trying to divert the people’s anger towards ‘terrorism’ and away from the moribund capitalist system, which is the source of the crisis.

The entire peace process between India and Pakistan has been hampered as a result of these terrorist attacks. Instead of focusing on the burning problems of price rise, hunger, lack of basic amenities, unemployment, etc., the governments of both countries are doing their best to turn the public attention towards ‘terrorism’ and war between India and Pakistan. A wave of jingoism, national chauvinism, and bigotry has been unleashed by certain sections of the ruling class in both India and Pakistan.

The occasion has also been used by the Indian Parliament to pass an utterly draconian law, in the name of ‘anti terrorism’, which will undoubtedly be used to attack the people’s movements.

The rally demanded that the governments of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh come together to settle all bipartite and tripartite disputes mutually through discussion, without the interference of any other outside power. It also opposed any sort of war, including ‘proxy war’ between India and Pakistan. It appealed to the media in both countries to act responsibly for the cause of peace and not as the mouth-piece of various reactionary forces.

The rally declared that the people of India and Pakistan are united in opposing any warmongering and they do not accept the interference of US imperialism or any other imperialist power, but are perfectly capable of settling their own affairs mutually. It declared that we are determined to fight terrorism and imperialism tooth and nail.

The rally congratulated the efforts of several activists of both countries in furthering the cause of unity and friendship of our peoples and reiterated its commitment to take this process forward in the future.