Nonagenarian freedom fighter bats for Indo-Pak peace

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 14

Hirutai Ramji Patil, 90, a freedom fighter, who was one of the leading lights during the nationalist movement at the time of Nana Patil’s call for parallel governance in Satara, stood out from the rest of the panel of speakers at the seminar conducted by Hind Pak Dosti Manch and Folklore Research Society. Dressed in an orange sari, she seemed clear in intent and words when she said that people of both the countries wanted peace. “We are inseparable part of each others’ existence. Then why are we resisting the other. Peace is the only way ahead.”

Addressing the gathering at the seminar on problems between India and Pakistan, she, along with Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, women’s rights activist, educationist, writer and a former member of the Planning Commission, agreed that women needed to be made integral part of the peace process between both the countries. “Women are integral to the process as they have suffered the most. Men, who have always dominated on the front, leave it for the women to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of war. But women, who have a basic instinct towards peace, have never been given a formal place in the peace process,” said Hameed. She recalled that in 2000 she was a part of the delegation of Indian women, who crossed over to Lahore as a gesture for peace. “We were received by Asma Jahangir and Madeeha Gauhar. Eighteen years on, where is the women participation in building bridges of communication and cultural exchange between the two nations?” she asked.

For Hirutai, it’s the youth who hold the key to peace in future for both countries. “Young blood is capable of doing the impossible.”

“Her kids do not share the same ideals on nationalism but she is still working to help bring a change. Her association with Nirmala Deshpande’s organisation and initiatives keeps her busy even today,” shared Jatin Desai, who has been closely associated with her and her late husband. Her only regret, “The sacrifices of the freedom fighters have been forgotten very quickly. We have been given all the benefits by the government, but respect has been deprived,” she said.

Declaration for opening channels for peace

The panel of speakers at the seminar also included senior journalists Om Thanvi, Jatin Desai, Ramesh Yadav, president, Folklore Research Society, and Advocate Ram Mohan Rai. The members also released a joint declaration on the eve of the 23rd Hind-Pak Dosti Mela.

“We also pay tribute to nearly 10 lakh people who were killed at the time of the Partition of the Indian sub-continent due to the communal violence. We also express our sympathies with the families of all those who had to migrate from one side to the other due to Partition, leaving behind their homes and properties,” read Satnam Manak, general secretary, Hind Pak Dosti Manch, during the declaration.

The delegation appealed to the newly-formed government of Imran Khan in Pakistan and Narendra Modi that both should give opportunity to peace for the better future of the people living in the region and move to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and other bilateral issues peacefully through mutual dialogue.