NEW DELHI, 30 March 2003 — War causes destruction but solves no problems, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said at Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh. In a reference to the US strikes on Iraq, Vajpayee strongly disapproved of war as a means to establish one’s domination over others. He said, “Weapons can kill life, but they cannot create life.”
Addressing a party convention of block presidents here on Friday, Congress President Sonia Gandhi cautioned that other parts of the world could also be threatened if no solution was found to the situation arising out of the US strikes on Iraq. She said, “If no solution is found to the situation in Iraq, it will be a defeat for humanity and threat will increase in other parts of the world.”
Indians have not confined their protests to anti-war processions and rallies. A group based in South India has decided to go on a hunger strike. Members of Bharatiya Rationalist Association have threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike from April 1 in front of the fast food restaurant, “Chick King” -- a multinational company -- in Kochi, Kerala.
In Calcutta, teachers of Jadavpur University have begun boycotting US-sponsored educational programs as a mark of protest. No student, teacher or research scholar of the university would participate in any educational seminar or workshop sponsored by the US government. Faculty member Ashok Bhattacharya said, “It is a symbolic protest against a war that is unjust and is causing tremendous suffering to innocent Iraqi people.”
The protest will continue till the war ends. Bhattacharya said, “We are often called to seminars and workshops organized by the US government here. It will not be possible for us to attend them till the war is over.”
In the anti-war demonstrations that are gaining greater momentum with each passing day, women are participating with a greater frenzy than ever before. Apart from participating in the marches organized by other groups, women have on their own initiated several protest gatherings. Less than a week ago, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, the human chain formed by women in protest against the war compelled the whole city to come out and participate. Besides, a select group of Shiite women organized a mourning ceremony and cursed the invaders.
In Bihar, artists associated with Abhiyan and Akshara Arts marked the World Theater Day (March 27) as an anti-war day by raising the slogan, “We will not accept slavery.”
Muslims rendered special prayers for a quick end to the Iraq crisis in thousands of mosques all over the country. Anti-war protests being held in India embraces all religious groups. The state legislatures in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu have separately passed anti-war resolutions. Interestingly, with the Iraq crisis having become a hot topic in virtually every Indian household, it has overtaken cricket even in Delhi’s betting market. To President George Bush’s chagrin, Saddam Hussein now dominates the Indian “satta” (betting) market.
