Speakers from India and Pakistan have urged their governments to constitute a joint commission to remove provocative material from the textbooks of both the countries. The demand was raised during a reception organised by Haryana Accredited Press Reporters Union for a visiting delegation of Pakistanis. The delegation, led by World Punjabi Congress chairman Fakhar Zaman, is to attend an international seminar on `India Pakistan relations: Emerging Co-operation' here on Sunday.
The speakers maintained that such material, which inculcates hatred in the minds of younger generation is a hurdle in developing good relations. They demanded complete revision of the textbooks in this regard.
The participants also demanded that the film censor boards of both the sides to stop such films making which fan feelings of hatred against each other.
Chairman World Punjab Congress Fakhar Zaman while addressing the reception as a chief guest said that Samjotha Express running between India and Pakistan should be renamed as Friendship Express or Peace Express.
He said that time has come when both the nations should accept each other as friends and brothers and emphasised upon the need for providing the young generations an environment of peaceful co-existence while removing all fears and threats of war against each other.
Fakhar Zaman said that British rulers distorted our history and declared our heroes as rebels.
"Baghat Singh, Dulla Bhatti and Ahmed Khan Kharal were common heroes who fought against colonial powers and worked for liberation of the land".
Member Rajya Sabha and Chairman National Minorities Commission of India Sardar Trilochan Singh welcomed proposal of Fakhar Zaman to purge the syllabi. He said that National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT) India has already initiated such exercise, under which material that could hurt feelings of minorities in India or portray them negatively, is being removed.
He supported that there should be a commission for this purpose which should allow an opportunity to study the textbooks being taught on either side of the border and revise those.
He also highlighted role of media in improving the relations between the two countries.
Krishan Dhamija, President of Haryana accredited Reporters Union in his address said that journalists community is committed to work for peace in the region.
Member Punjab Assembly (Pakistan) Rana Sarfraz also spoke on the occasion.
Later, the visiting delegates were taken for sight seeing at Ambala. They were given a warm welcome. Banners inscribed with welcoming slogans were displayed en route. Traditionally dressed singers and dancers presented folk dances at various points.
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