A spate of anti-Pakistan protests by the Shiv Sena recently has given rise to an internet campaign that seeks to stop the "hate politics" and attempts to foster cordial relationships between India and Pakistan.
Ram Subramanian (36), a writer and ad filmmaker based out of Bandra in Mumbai, on October 22 posted a selfie with a message stating he had "enough of banning Pakistani artists".
#ProfileForPeace enough of banning Pakistani artists. Enough hate politics. Make a similar profile picture. #SpeakUp pic.twitter.com/xuUFoMuJEl
— Ram Subramanian (@TweetOfRam) October 22, 2015Soon after, the hashtag campaign #ProfileForPeace went viral on social media with users, from India and Pakistan, sharing selfies with similar messages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
"It had been brewing in my head ever since I heard of a series of bans and attacks. Most of us common blokes don't feel such hate nor want these fights. And when you close the doors to art, you open up a door for dark and unwanted things to come in," The Times of India quoted him as saying.
"It's important at this point to communicate with each other, and the internet allows us to do that," he added.
#ProfileForPeace because only love can defeat politically-generated hatred! Thanks @TweetOfRam , for starting this. pic.twitter.com/6m3IyU0H9P
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) October 22, 2015 #ProfileForPeace #IndoPak #Love #Peace #India #Pakistan #Brothers #NoWar #OnlyLove #IamHindu #IDontHateMuslims pic.twitter.com/igOaqDykQ9
— Puneet Sharma (@puneetsharma7) October 25, 2015 We want Peace.... #ProfileforPeace #ProfileForPeace pic.twitter.com/Hkm4oCucM7
— Babar Shehzad (@bspatriot) October 25, 2015 #profileforpeace pic.twitter.com/mHHuXfoFwc
— Zanyajan (@zanyajan) October 25, 2015 a new trend #ProfileForPeace go and viral this trend @jackie_nambiar @bilalahmadgreat i love ind o pak cricket pic.twitter.com/vjDM7yVowU
— Zaryab #TeamPak (@zaibkhanB) October 25, 2015 #ProfileForPeace pic.twitter.com/Vidsfthlow
— Manu Garg (@TheManuGarg) October 25, 2015 Iam Pakistan I am from Faisalabad I don't hate India I am not alone There are many more like me❤ #ProfileForPeace pic.twitter.com/qy4DkfgM0c
— Ali Ousja Jaffry (@Ousja) October 24, 2015 #ProfileForPeace I don't support #politicsofhate. I don't judge ppl by their religion,country,caste or colour. pic.twitter.com/Z6CNbKSmn3
— Aakriti Jain (@AakritiJain16) October 25, 2015 #ProfileForPeace Yes, I dont hate my neighbours. I just hate EXTREMISTS, where ever they might be. pic.twitter.com/5h0QN3mgBa
— Amna Pakistani (@amna_sayx) October 24, 2015 Dear Shiv Sena, Stop your hate mongering. Friends, RT if you feel the same & do it. #ProfileForPeace #SpeakUp pic.twitter.com/qqkDM8pNRg
— Arshi Yasin (@arshi_yasin) October 22, 2015