Massive anti-war protest march highlights growing awareness
-October 30, 2001

Students, teachers, women activists, human rights activists and members of a number of organisations, joined hands in a large march, protesting against the war waged by the U.S against Afghanistan. The march started from the Lal Qila and culminated at the Ferozshah Kotla gates. Various cultural groups put up plays and songs that depicted Bin Laden to be the creation of American imperialism.

In probably the largest such protest in Delhi thus far, people expressed their anger against the anti-people policies of the U.S., and condemned the death of innocent civilians at the hands of American missiles and bombs. Over a thousand people participated in the rally, including many working class youth. As the march passed through the streets and lanes of Daryaganj, people eagerly received the leaflets being distributed .

Communist Ghadar Party of India, A.I.S.A, Forum for Muslim Women and Saheli were some of the many groups which expressed their solidarity with the victims of the inhuman military strikes being conducted by the U.S.

Prof. Jean Dreze, noted writer Arundhati Roy and a number of other prominent figures participated in the rally.

“War under any pretext is terrorism” screamed banners and posters as students actively gave out pamphlets and leaflets condemning the war. Earlier, busloads of students, professors and others from Delhi University arrived at the demonstration, reflecting campus opinion on the issue.
Students of St. Stephens, Ramjas, Hansraj, Delhi School of Economics among other colleges came out with their own banners and posters, stating “No to war, no to terrorism”.

When asked why they were there, students of St. Stephens College categorically stated that they believed violence under any pretext amounted to terrorism, and that the American bombardment of Afghanistan was not just unjust but also aimed at a much larger goal of gaining a foothold in Central Asia.

Shouting slogans warning America against interference in Asia, the protestors marched on, even as the police at various points tried to stop them.

The over two hundred students were also certain they represented the opinion of the majority of Delhi University in opposing the war.

Some of the posters, with a graphic picture of the burning WTC buildings, asked America to look to itself and its foreign policies to understand the cause for the September 11 attacks. As the protestors neared the Kotla gates, the excited Delhi University students were already discussing the upcoming visit of Mr. Noam Chomsky to St. Stephens College, and the Delhi School of Economics.

As a student said, “if the Americans and the Indian State expect to carry out their military plans without protest, they’re sure in for a surprise!”

- Student, St. Stephens College, Delhi University