Sarnath (UP), Mar 5: Several children participated in a march here to raise their voices against the recent regionalism controversy that shook the country.

Donning attire of different states, the children sent across a message of 'Different states, one Nation'.

"We would like to appeal to all politicians in the country to stop dividing us on the basis of region or religion. We all are born in the same country and are one," said Reshma, a student.

The Human Welfare Association promoted the initiative.

"We are holding this march against the atrocities being inflicted upon north Indians which is having a bad effect on these children. Their parents go there to earn a living, but due to this regionalism row, they have been forced to flee from there. It is affecting their lives. These kids are really frightened," claimed Rajnikant, the president of the association.

Last month, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's controversial remarks about migrant population from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar infesting Mumbai, stirred wide-spread agitations across the country.

Thackeray, along with Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Asim Azmi were arrested on February 13, 2008 for violating various sections of the Indian Penal Code, but were granted bail. (ANI)