A united campaign against war mongering- ‘War, Chhod na Yaar’ (Say No to War my friend) was called by more than 30 organisations on 9 November at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The 9 November programme was preceded by screening of anti-war films and holding discussions at several venues in Delhi. The organizers included AIDWA, AIPF, AIPWA, AISA, AICCTU, ANHAD, CITU, Dwarka collective, DYFI, Sangwari, Jan Natya Manch, IPTA Delhi among several others. The programme on the 9 November saw poets, singers and other cultural, social and political activists, retired military officers and family members of military personnel killed in wars, who came together against war-mongering and appeal for peace. The speakers included AIPWA national Secretary Kavita Krishnan, Activist John Dayal, AISA activist and Ex JNUSU VP, Shehla Rashid Shora, Jagmati Sangwan, Admiral Ramdas and several others. Addressing the people who had thronged Jantar Mantar, AIPWA national Secretary Kavita Krishnan appealed to the people to think about the consequences of militarism, war and hate-mongering for India. She added that at a time when citizens are being told openly that they cannot ask questions even when citizens are being killed openly, as happened this week in Bhopal, it is time for those who believe in peace and democracy to speak up. Shabnam Hashmi from ANHAD said that people had gathered here to send out a message against the climate of war-mongering that has taken over the country post the Uri attack in Kashmir and the subsequent military stance by India. She emphasized that we needed to be wary of that and go for peace.
Artists from Delhi Sultanate & Begum X, Sangwari, Jan Samskriti and other cultural organisations raised voices against war mongering through their performances.
