#SayNoToWar: Social media’s march for peace

Dubai: War is not the answer. This is what Twitter users across the globe said with hashtag #SayNoToWar on Wednesday as cross-border attacks escalated during the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.

The hashtag became a top global trend.

Concerned Twitter user @faizuuk posted: “Don’t celebrate war! #SayNoToWar. Hope the situation does not go out of control. Really concerned. War is a failure, no matter who wins #IndiaPakistan.”

Many tried to highlight how a social media war of words between people from both countries and unverified media reports were adding fuel to fire. Twitter user @iaswanth posted: “We’re dealing with LIVES. Please verify multiple sources and report. Some pictures are heart-breaking. To all media - Please act responsibly.”

Twitter @kh_ateeb said a war will set both the countries back by 50 years: “#SayNoToWar: If war starts both nations will go 50 years back. Spread love, not war.”

And @Punjabidude303 could not believe that the countries were resorting to violence in the 21st century, instead of engaging in peaceful dialogue: “We don’t live in medieval age. We have better ways to talk to each other to understand. War is no solution to any problem. It stops the progress of a country. If it prolongs, it destroys, kills... example Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Restraint needed.#SayNotoWar”

Indian tweep @Vidyaraj51 pointed out how a war will only add to the many problems both countries have been fighting against, for years: “#SayNoToWar will not achieve anything rather it would bring more tragedies! It is the government’s inability that they dragged the situation to this level where our army and jawans are suffering! Country is struggling with unemployment and poverty issues. War will make it even worse!”

Some Pakistani tweeps also used the hashtag to request the Pakistani government to treat the captured Indian pilot with respect to take a stand against war.

Tweep @HtotheQThe from Pakistan wrote: “Indian pilot should be given the best medical attention, food and care. He should be returned to India with dignity and respect as a sign of good faith and our lack of interest in war. He was doing his duty and is not a slab of meat to be used as collateral by the two.”

Indian @Vikashkulria replied: “Respect Brother. Overwhelmed with your stand for humanity... #SayNoToWar.”

@Tooba_Sd added: “I as a citizen of Pakistan request my govt to treat the ‘captive’ Indian pilot well and send him back asap as a gesture of peace. Come on Pakistan you can do this #SayNoToWar”

To which @VishalDadlani replied: “Thank you! Only sane citizen voices can compel their governments to find some sense in these insane times. #SayNoToWar”

Twitter user @Ayesha6700 said war can never result in victory: “No war has ever won in the history, because people died in every single war! Where there are deaths, there is no victory!”