Amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Alia Bhatt's mother, actress Soni Razdan, has amplified a petition initiated by Indian and Pakistani activists calling for an end to hostilities. Razdan shared the petition on her Instagram account, urging her followers to sign it, while also disabling comments on the post.
The petition, titled "India, Pakistan: Stop the hostilities," explicitly condemns all forms of violent extremism and terrorism. It emphasizes that targeting unarmed civilians is unacceptable, regardless of the reasons or political objectives. The activists stress that the cycle of violence must end to achieve lasting peace. They also express concern over communal and faith-based politics, amplified by media and social media, which create a false impression of consensus for war, placing immense pressure on governments and armed forces while inciting the public. The petition highlights that such divisive ideologies foster mistrust among citizens and severely damage the political climate in South Asia.
The petition urges both India and Pakistan to act responsibly, emphasizing that any war between the two nuclear-armed nations would be disastrous. It notes that history has shown that ordinary citizens, particularly women, children, minorities, the elderly, and other vulnerable communities, suffer the most during conflicts. These groups are often forced to prove their patriotism. Therefore, the petition calls upon the people of India and Pakistan to hold their governments accountable and resist any rhetoric or actions that fuel war hysteria.
The petition strongly opposes any attempts to weaponize shared natural resources or historical bilateral agreements. It warns that suspending long-standing agreements like the Indus Water Treaty (1960) or the Shimla Accord (1972) would undermine the fundamental framework of legality and civility in bilateral relations. The activists call on all who believe in peace to speak out against hate, violence, and vengeance, and to advocate for dialogue, cooperation, and a shared future of peace and co-existence. As of May 9, 2025, the petition has garnered over 3,706 signatures.
The appeal for peace comes in the wake of heightened tensions between the two countries, particularly after the terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam region, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. Soni Razdan was among the numerous celebrities who denounced the Pahalgam attack. She expressed her heartbreak and emphasized the importance of not allowing terror to triumph, or faith in humanity to falter and urged people to stand together and avoid being caught in a destructive political and religious spiral.
Soni Razdan's support for the petition has drawn mixed reactions. While some netizens have lauded her efforts to promote peace, others have criticized her stance, particularly in light of Pakistan's continued aggression. Some online users have expressed anger, questioning the timing of the petition and accusing its signatories of being out of touch with the current reality. They argue that calls for pacifism are unwarranted when Pakistan continues to allegedly provoke India with drone attacks and ceasefire violations. Some comments reflect a sentiment that supporting the Indian armed forces and retaliating against terrorist activities is more appropriate.
Other filmmakers, including Anand Patwardhan, Beena Sarwar, and Nishtha Jain, have also signed the petition. A Nepalese human rights group also organized protests outside the Indian and Pakistani embassies in Kathmandu, urging both nations to end the tensions and promote peace in South Asia. Demonstrators carried signs with slogans advocating for peace and raising concerns about the Indus Water Treaty and Pakistan's alleged protection of those involved in the Pahalgam attack.
