"We, the volunteers of the undersigned organizations, are shocked and horrified by the ghastly attack on the Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar on the 24th of September. We are dismayed to learn that as many as 30 people have been killed in this cowardly attack, and that many other people have been injured. At this moment our hearts go out to the families and friends of the innocent victims of yesterday's mindless shootings. We share in their grief and pray that they find the strength to overcome their loss.

The perpetrators of this reprehensible act must be apprehended and swiftly brought to justice by a court of law; we urge the state to move expeditiously on this count. We also call upon the Government of Gujarat and the Central Government to take preventive measures to quell further violence, and to maintain a strict and impartial calm over the coming days, especially in view of the terrible violence over recent months in Gujarat, from which the country has yet to recover. Further, we urge all sections of the press to report on the current incident in a truthful and non-inflammatory manner.

We fervently hope that the people of Gujarat and the rest of India will maintain peace and harmony. We urge people from across the country to form peace committees to guarantee the safety of their neighbours of all communities. Only by remaining steadfastly united can we, the people of India, foil the designs of the perpetrators of violence."

Organizations/Individuals who agree to support the appeal

 * Alliance For a Secular and Democratic South Asia
 * Association for India's Development (AID) -Boston, USA
 * Insaniyat, Boston, USA
 * Sangam - Indian Students Association at MIT, Cambridge, USA
 * South Asian Center, Boston, USA