The Hindu : A novel protest

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 25, 2003

Other States

Other States - New Delhi

A novel protest

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI MARCH 24. Residents of the Muslim-dominated area of Okhla in South Delhi have found a novel way to vent their anger and anguish against the U.S. and its coalition partners for attacking Iraq.

For the past two days, they have been converging on the "Kabristan'' ground at Batla House near Jamia Millia Islamia and beating with shoes the towering effigies of the U.S.President, George Bush, the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and the Pakistani President, Parvez Musharraf.

These effigies, whom the residents of the area say represent the modern-day "Ravans'', would be burnt on Tuesday evening in presence of a large number of people, community and student union leaders. The Iraqi Ambassador to India has also been invited. "We have not invited any politician as we want to keep it apolitical,'' said Sabah Israr, Chairman of the All-India Peace Foundation, a non-government organisation which has put up the three effigies.

The NGO has also called for a public boycott of U.S. and Britain goods. "We are collecting these and would set them afire on Tuesday evening along with the effigies,'' Mr. Israr said.

Next week, a blood donation camp has been planned and the blood collected would be sent to the people of Iraq through the Red Cross.

Black banners with anti-Bush slogans have come up around the "Kabristan'' ground. "This is an undemocratic act on the part of the world's superpowers. The attack on Iraq is not against the weapons of mass destruction, but for a control on the oil of the region. It is they who are using the weapons of mass destruction against the innocent people of Iraq,'' alleged Tanvir Khan, an advocate.

The local Councillor, Asif Mohammad Khan, who has put up the anti-Bush and anti-U.S. banners here alleging that the attack on Iraq was in violation of all international conventions and U. N. He demanded that the Indian Government should come out openly in support of the people of Iraq and oppose U.S. and coalition forces.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

Stories in this Section

A novel protest

T.B. still a major health hazard

PUC certificates of other States will not be valid from April 1

Saathi may clear stand on VAT during budget speech

Corporate participation in transport sector urged

MCD not to give eggs to students