Mumbai: Pakistani and Indian peace workers have welcomed the decision of border security forces of both countries to put an end to the face-to-face show of bravado and aggression at Wagah border.
"We wholeheartedly welcome last week's decision by the director generals of Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force in their meeting in Lahore to replace the erstwhile militarist gestures with ‘smiles and friendly' handshakes by the border guards," said Jatin Desai, representing the Pakistan India Forum for Peace and Democracy.
The traditionally hostile flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah border held for the last five decades has always been marked by aggression and has attracted considerable media coverage as well as crowds on both sides.
With the thumping of boots and belligerent gestures now becoming a thing of the past, representatives of civil society organisations and the peace movement in both countries issued a joint statement that, "We are happy that the authorities on both sides have at long last realised the need for changing the character of the ceremony from a pointless display of power and bravery to a demonstration of goodwill and friendship towards each other."
Not enough
But peace activists stress that this is not enough and much more needs to be done if the two governments are sincere in moving towards a relationship of genuine peace.
Mere change of style at the Wagah ceremony will mean too little and too late if the governments do not pay immediate attention to removing all symbols of militarism such as tanks, missiles, war planes and guns displayed at public places in road junctions and parks in various towns of both countries.
Both countries should expunge propaganda and hate materials from history textbooks, they say.
