Demonstrations in Delhi

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, OCT. 12. The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid today staged a sit- in demonstration at the Masjid complex and activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other Left parties held an anti-U.S. demonstration near the American Centre here.

In his hour-long speech after the Friday prayer, the Shahi Imam reiterated that the U.S.-led air strikes on Afghanistan were an attack on Islam. ``Islam regards oppression worse than murder,'' he said, even as his supporters raised pro- Taliban slogans.

Arguing that the Majlis Shoora of Jama Masjid Mushawarati Council had supported his stand to extend moral support to the Afghan ulema's call for `jehad', he accused the U.S. of targeting civilians in their attacks. ``This act of brutality may rightly be called an act of terrorism.''

Charging the Pakistani President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, with treachery, the Shahi Imam said, ``today, the people of Pakistan are against Gen. Musharraf. Time will come when they will teach his Government a lesson.''

He also appealed to the Organisation of Islamic Conference not to support the attacks. ``I appeal to the OIC to send another delegation to Kabul to examine the loss of lives and property and present it to the Muslim world.''

With the Delhi police deciding not to allow the protesters near the U.S. Embassy, a sit-in protest was held inside the Jama Masjid complex after his address. Prayers were offered by the demonstrators for the safety of the ``brave, courageous and modest'' Afghan people.

Activists of the CPI(M), the Forward Bloc, the Revolutionary Socialist Party and the CPI took out a protest march to the American Centre against the U.S.-led strikes in Afghanistan.

The CPI(M) politburo member, Mr. Prakash Karat, denounced the attacks and termed them a `wanton destruction of innocent lives'. The U.S. military action was a unilateral move bypassing the United Nations and in defiance of international laws.

Mr. Karat said the Taliban and Osama bin Laden were creations of the U.S. foreign policy. He also criticised the BJP- led Central Government for offering military bases and other facilities to the U.S.

Other speakers included the CPI general secretary, Mr. A.B. Bardhan, and the Forward Bloc leader, Mr. Debabrata Biswas.

A large number of Shiv Sainiks led by the party leader in North India, Mr. Jai Bhagwan Goyal, held a demonstration at Jantar Mantar against Osama bin Laden, the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, and the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid.

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