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Anti-War Demonstration at Kolkata
For Publication & Circulation
Eyewitness: Report from March 30th
Anti-War Protest, Kolkata
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Kolkata (Calcutta) 30 March 2003
Today the West Bengal State Committee of
All India Anti-Imperialist Forum staged a massive protest demonstration in
the city against the War on Iraq. The demonstration was led by Dr. Sushil
Kumar Mukherjee, Prof Sunanda Sanyal, Prof. Sujay Basu, Samar Bagchi, Prof.
Kajal Sengupta, Manik Mukherjee and was attended by many other eminent
intellectuals, educationists and professionals as well as common people of
West Bengal.
With colourful festoons and posters and spirited slogan shouting in protest
against the genocidal war on a sovereign national state with the sole motive
of capturing vast oil resource of that country, the well decorated
procession started from the Saheed Minar Maidan and ended at the American
Centre, where the police cordoned the rally.
In a meeting in front of the American Centre, the speakers including Dr.
Mukherjee, Prof Sanyal, Prof. Basu, Sri Bagchi, Prof. Sengupta and Manik
Mukherjee vehemently criticized the role of the US imperialists and their
lackeys for launching the cruel and barbaric attack on the innocent common
Iraqi people trampling all international norms and practices. A message of
Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer, President, All India Anti-Imperialist Forum,
placed before the assembly read: The evil axis of USA and UK must stop its
savage carnage on Iraq because it is an invasion which is a violation of
international law, defiance of world opinion and travesty of the United
Nations Charter. I oppose on my behalf and behalf of every patriotic Indian,
the barbarity now in operation unleashed by America, and call upon the
Indian people, the Indian Government and humanity everywhere to arrest the
atrocities inflicted incessantly by President Bush and Prime Minister Tony
Blair-Evil Axis incorporated.
A resolution adopted by the rally highlighted among other points : It is now
also clear to the world that, whatever be the plea, this aggression is
designed to lead the US imperialism, in particular, to an unopposed control
over Iraq's rich oil reserve as well as to an unchallengable position to
dominate the world with brute military might ; the British imperialism
appears to be content enough with the crumbs of the booty they may expect
from the fall-out..The West Bengal State Committee of the All India
Anti-Imperialist Forum records with all fraternal emotion, the heroic
resistance the people of Iraq have put up against this demonic onslaught .
The Committee also expresses deep regret at the shameless hesitation of the
BJP-led Union Government of our country in strongly condemning the US-UK
aggression and in unequivocally demanding immediate withdrawal of their
troops. The Committee . feels earnestly that only an invincible surge of
people's wrath against the warmongers, a genuine militant movement for peace
can force them to step back. The Committee demands in clear words :
Bush-Blair Nexus - HANDS OFF IRAQ !
A four-member deputation, including by Dr.Sushil Kumar Mukherjee, Prof
Sunanda Sanyal, Prof Kajal Sengupta and Manik Mukherjee handed over a copy
of the resolution to the US Consulate. The rally ended with burning of a
model of an eagle symbolizing the arrogant US imperialism.
– Contact Office Staff, AIAIF
Manik Mukherjee
Deputy, International Affairs
Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI)
48, Lenin Sarani
Kolkat 700 013
India
Phone + 91 (33) 2244 1828, 2244 2234
Fax +91 (33) 2246 5114
e-mail : suci_cc@ vsnl.net
Manik Mukherjee
Vice-President
All India Anti-Imperialist Forum (AIAIF)
77/2/1, Lenin Sarani
Kolkata 700 013
India
Phone + 91 (33) 246 2550
Fax + 91 (33) 246 7754
aiaif@ca12.vsnl.net.in
[Thanks to R. Sen Gupta, Office Secretary, AIAIF for info update]
12 April Kolkata.
Today, on behalf of the West Bengal State Committee of the All India Anti-Imperialist Forum, a rally was staged in front of the Kolkata Doordarshan (National TV, Calcutta Centre), demanding the stoppage of advertisement of Pepsi and Coca-Cola & other American and British goods as part of "Boycott American and British goods" movement, as a mark of peoples' protest against US-UK aggression in Iraq.
Later a memorandum was submitted on behalf of the Anti-Imperialist Forum to the Director of the Doordarshan, Kolkata.
S. Sikdar,
AIAIF
West Bengal
Kolkata
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