'Throw open Wagah, there will be traffic jams'

By Aarti Dhar

NEW DELHI, MAY 2. Blowing of conch-shells from the Indian side and release of white pigeons by Pakistani women marked the second phase of the peace process between the people of the two countries here this evening.

Initiated by women from the two countries by a similar visit to Pakistan by an Indian all-woman delegation in March, the arrival of 40 women from there was a befitting response to a process to resolve an issue where politicians have failed.

There were no official messages and no diplomatic barriers, but some lively interaction. ``I am not carrying any message from the Government. Let this be a people-to-people dialogue,'' said Ms. Asma Jehangir, former Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Pakistan, and leader of the delegation.

``From here, let a message go to the politicians of India and Pakistan that the people want to live in peace and with dignity,'' she said. The human rights activist challenged the Governments of the two countries to throw open the Wagah border and see the response. ``I can say with confidence there will be traffic jams for the next 50 months,'' she said.

Apparently moved by the rousing welcome the visitors received here, Ms. Jehangir said the visit of the Indian delegation to Pakistan came at a time when her country was totally isolated in the region as well as internationally. The people of India acted courageously even as animosity was at its peak, she said. ``Animosity is created by politicians and intolerant groups from both the sides. But now they will have to shed their egos and bend before the will of the people.'' She said the people of her country were open to dialogue and they hated to hear the two nations addressing each other as ``enemy country''. Ms. Jehangir said the women had come to India as mothers because their heart bled when they saw the body of an Indian soldier killed at the border as it did when a Pakistani soldier was killed.

The second batch of women will arrive tomorrow (Wednesday).

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