NEW DELHI, 24 March 2003 — The allied forces have failed to win over public opinion in India.
India has been watching US strategies with a jaundiced eye. Compelled by circumstances, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee convened two all-party meetings to discuss the evolving situation in Iraq, on March 10 and 22. Even before the second meeting it was apparent that an all-party consensus would not be reached to facilitate any resolution against the war. While the government wanted to use the word “deplore,” the opposition insisted on “condemn” vis-à-vis US strikes on Iraq. The meeting, however, showed India’s evident concerns over the war in Iraq.
It is clearly a tightrope walk, politically and diplomatically, for the government. By calling the all-party meetings, Vajpayee has conveyed India’s message without recourse to a verbal statement. With anti-war protest gaining momentum in the country, further meetings could follow.
Political organizations, including the Hindu extremist party Shiv Sena have participated in protests against the Iraq-war. Shiv Sena has burned the American flag in Delhi. BJP stalwart and Vice President of India Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said, “Whatever be the nature of Saddam’s regime, if the Iraqis are happy with him, why should an external force interfere in the country’s internal politics?”
Senior RJD member Laloo Prasad Yadav echoed the same and said, “What if then US tells India tomorrow: Vajpayee, you must go? India must strongly oppose the US strikes.”
As a rule, few Indian politicians comment on international politics except in relation to Pakistan. But with Indians from the highly educated urban elite to the working classes protesting against US moves, politicians of all streams have decided to depart from standard practice. Since late last year, the Committee against War on Iraq has organized around a dozen demonstrations and rallies against the US designs. Around half a dozen have been organized over the past one month.
Politicians across the spectrum joined them this Saturday and even courted arrest. During their speeches, the politicians called upon the demonstrators to intensify their protest in the coming days and prevail upon the Vajpayee government to adopt a stronger stand against the war.
Among the politicians who courted arrest were senior leaders belonging to RJD and the Left bloc including Laloo Prasad Yadav and Prakash Karat (CPI-M).
The demonstration was staged close to the US Embassy in Chanakyapuri. Despite the ban on demonstrations around the diplomatic enclave, several demonstrators managed to take up position opposite the US Embassy. Twenty-two of these chained themselves to a fence opposite the embassy and shouted anti-US slogans before being arrested.
Academic and non-academic university staff from various campuses in Delhi will hold another major rally against war this Tuesday.
