Citizens for Peace (CFP) are a non-political organization in Mumbai that was formed in response to the violence and anarchy that ravaged this city in 1992-93. CFP is a group of concerned citizens who spontaneously banded together out of revulsion at the tragic events that rocket the city then. The group is driven by the determination to reaffirm Mumbai's cosmopolitan ethos and its liberal and enlightened tradition.

Although CFP began as an ad-hoc effort it rapidly grew into an efficient crisis-relief unit geared to coping with different aspects of distress caused by mass violence. At the time of the 1992-93 riots, it maintained a round-the-clock office to deal expeditiously with urgent cases of distress and danger to life. CFP was able to collect donations from many sources and use this cash and materials to help victims of the violence in different ways. This work was made possible by a task force of highly motivated CFP volunteers across Mumbai.

Over the last decade CFP has remained concerned about the proliferation of intolerance and vandalism across India. Such violence takes different forms. For example, the wanton destruction of a top-class hospital in Thane by enraged supporters of a deceased patient, or the periodic outbreaks of street violence in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery water issue. The horrific massacre in Gujarat in 2002 has also made it crystal clear that communal tension, and the state's frequent failure to ensure the rule of law, are among the greatest challenges before Indian society today.
We are convinced that there is an urgent need for citizens' groups to address this situation in many different ways. Thus CFP will:
1) Stand united in opposing all violations of the rule of law.
2) Generate public pressure on the state to fulfill its constitutional obligations.
3) Help with relief and rehabilitation measures for the victims of violence, especially communal violence.
4) Actively counter the prejudices and propaganda that cause communal violence.
5) Analyze the ways in which law and order breaks down during communal violence and suggest remedies.
6) Actively promote goodwill and harmony between communities.

In addition to this CFP is of the view that the time has come to pro-actively articulate a new vision for a truly secular and democratic India. Such a vision must actively counter any definition of India that in any way promotes or legitimizes prejudice and hatred. At stake is the very soul of the Indian nation, as well as the shape of its society and polity in the 21st century.

Thus it is incumbent on both individuals and citizens groups to nurture and promote a culture of diversity and openness that is rooted in humane egalitarian values. This means doing much more than crisis management or ‘fire fighting’ of the kind that first gave birth to CFP. We must actively forge both the vision and mechanisms of a truly vibrant secular and liberal public life. This is the soil in which the electoral process can mature and become more effectively representative of “We the People”. It is this wider context that CFP, a modest and purely volunteer-based group, seeks to define its role.


Why the need for a Re-think?

The Indian model of secularism has clearly left much of the country dissatisfied on various counts. CFP is of the view that it is time to review this area of public life in a fresh and non-reactive manner. Our objective is to introspect and arrive at a new and more relevant understanding about what it means to be a Secular country.

For this purpose CFP is initiating a process based on the following understanding:
1) There is need for new terminology that is free from the baggage of the past that would allow for a fresh approach to the discussions/ dialogue/ debate

2) While the issue needs to be addressed at the level of both the state and civil society, CFP will focus on civil society initially and eventually aim to influence State policies with the insights derived from this process.

3) The current stress on equal respect between communities needs to be re-defined at two levels:
(a) equal indifference at the State level. Here indifference means the separation of religion and State, where the pursuit of religious life is contained within the private or community domain.
(b) mutual acceptance at the level of the individual and society. This means that we don’t always have to be “ happy with each other”, but as a society we must endeavor to find ways to hold and manage conflict, differences, dissonance etc. in collective, peaceful and democratic ways.

4) Our approach should be a proactive one seeking to build and evolve a rich secular culture rather than merely react and defend. Such an approach will allow for a more holistic, positive intervention.

5) There is a need for thinking on the question of Indian identity in today’s context. What is its meaning / relevance? What is relevance for our (Indian) identity in our common humanity? What are the elements, above and beyond religion and caste, that celebrate our combined cultural and social heritage -- including the religious/spiritual base of much of that heritage.

6) How do we address these questions in today‘s context? ‘Today's context’ refers to an intricately inter-linked world in which both sectarian hatred and the expressions of common humanity have been globalized.

The Approach

The “A Secular Re-Think” process will consist of a two-pronged approach to enable policy formulation and public awareness and advocacy. This will include:

1) Round table discussions aimed at bringing together diverse groups of individuals, activists, supporters, policy makers etc to discuss / debate these issues. This would serve the following purpose:
+ bring in a diversity of views and approaches that will enrich our own understanding
+ build long term partners in the public education and advocacy process

2) Public Lecture Series aimed at creating public awareness and support for a truly secular India

3) Annual Essay competition in collaboration with Indian Express

The Trustees of CFP include: Titoo Ahluwalia, Julio Reberio, B.G. Deshmukh, Cyrus Guzder, Dolly Thakore, Rina Kamath and Atul Setalvad.

The Managing Committee consists of: Titoo Ahluwalia, Dolly Thakore, Rina Kamath, Dilip D’Souza, Pervin Verma, Devika Bhojwani, Tariq Ansari and Rajni Bakshi