The youth from Ramnagar are now well informed about the rumours and fake news. They are the active agent of change in the community to bring peace and harmony. Seven community-based organisations (CBOs) consisting of 71 women and adolescent girls are now working towards peace and health. The peace committee along with the identified Peace and WaSH volunteers are working for peacebuilding and brotherhood in the community.

Ramnagar village in Saharanpur has witnessed the communal clash of 2017. The clash between Thakurs and Dalits has taken a violent turn disrupting the socio-economic stability of the State. The violence started in this small area spread and engulf the State’s entire western belt in the fire. Though the situation appears relatively calm, there exists a deep discontent among people belonging to both communities. There is a strong need to work with the community to resolve the tension and create an amicable environment for peaceful co-existence.

Caritas India initiated Samvaad, dialogue for peace programme with the financial support of Missio to create inculcate peacebuilding among people through the dialogue process. The programme focused on rural and urban pockets by engaging people at both community and school level to create ownership. Along with Meerut Seva Samaj, Caritas India is promoting mutual brotherhood in various religions and communities by identifying 12 most sensitive areas of Saharanpur District.

The youth have been trained to handle rumours and create counter-narratives to overcome the situation. Mobile accessibility and internet have opened altogether a new pandora box for the youth and the enchantment of social media has enslaved our younger generation. Social media has great potential but most of the times it is used for vested interest and create confusion. The youth innocently follow the news and became an agent for dissemination without verifying the facts. Workshops were organized for youth to inform and aware of the rumours and fake news which affects the communal harmony in times of crisis.

The project team organizes regular meetings of all the CBOs and the Peace Committee every month to address local issues. They also create awareness among youths and villagers on fake news and mutual brotherhood through orientations, meetings, street plays, etc.

The programme also organizes street plays in different villages to promote mutual harmony and unity. Overcoming the current situation requires a great deal of trust and cooperation and this programme has taken every step possible to bring communities together with mutual respect