New Delhi: For the past two days, Indians have been constantly communicating with Pakistanis through Twitter condemning the Peshawar attack and showing solidarity in the hour of grief. This gesture has been acknowledged by Pakistanis who are “overwhelmed” with this humane, undiluted sign of love and kindness.
Ever since the terror attack took place Dec 16 at a school in Peshawar where over 140 people, mostly children, were killed, hashtags like #PeshawarAttack and #IndiawithPakistan have been trending on Twitter, creating a bridge to connect citizens of the two neighbouring nations.
But another hashtag #ThankyouIndia has also been trending to acknowledge India’s support to fellow Pakistanis in this hour of distress.
“Dear India, I don’t know about my other countrymen but you certainly have won me over with your kindness and humanity,” tweeted Sakina Feroz, Karachi-based mass communication student.
With this unconditional outpouring of solidarity, Pakistani citizen Emad Zafar tweeted: “Massive respect for our friends across the border for #IndiawithPakistan. Rivalries are secondary, humanity wins.”
Similarly, London-based Pakistani Rabail thanked India for all its support.
“So overwhelmed to see the gestures from across the border. #ThankYouIndia for your support at this time of distress. #IndiawithPakistan,” she posted.
Lahore-based Najam Ul Assar echoed similar sentiments.
“Our blood is of the same colour,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders such as Barack Obama were among the first to condemn the attack, followed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi who Tuesday tweeted: “Children are the first casualty of violence and war. It is time we all came together and put a stop to this violence.”
Earlier, Indians expressed their anger over the Peshawar attack.
“Yes, I am Indian. So what? The pain of losing a child is universal,” posted Global voices.
Former foreign secretary Nirupama Rao posted: “The murder of children cannot be glossed over. Children are without borders. The bell tolls for all of us.”
Tehseen Poonawalla, who started #IndiawithPakistan, felt these exchanges have ensured that humanity always wins.
“Some people will never let go of hate! I don’t care what they think – I believe humanity won when #IndiawithPakistan was the trend! Cheers,” he posted.
However, many were quick to react to Pakistan’s former president Pervez Musharraf’s accusations that India was behind the attack.
“India extended support to Pakistan with #IndiawithPakistan and they returned the love by accusing our country of killing the kids,” posted Aniruddha Rao.
Archit Rastogi tweeted: “We shouldn’t say #IndiawithPakistan until Pakistan arrests Hafiz Saeed.”
So did an angry Anushka who tweeted: “If you really think India is behind the attack in Peshawar, you’re a bigot. Honestly, go away.”
