People's Democracy

Anti-War Day Observed Throughout Tamilnadu

A A Nainar

THE appeal made by the ‘Committee Against The US War On Iraq’ to the people of Tamilnadu to observe March 10 as an ‘Anti-War Day’ evoked good response in the entire state. From the reports received from 20 districts, not less than 50 anti-war programmes were conducted on that day, which saw participation of tens of thousands of people.

In Chennai, there was a massive gathering of about 5000 anti-war activists. The rally started from Periyar statue and ended at the Government Guest House at Cheapuk. Popular film director V Sekar, artist Veera Santhanam, celebrated cartoonist Madhan, journalist Ali Hussain, AIDWA leader Mythily Sivaraman, advocate Vaigai (AILU) and leaders of various mass organisations and trade unions led the procession. The rallyists carried placards pronouncing “No To War”, denouncing George W Bush and lot of banners and festoons condemning the ‘US war on Iraq’. High pitched anti-war slogans rented the air and the procession culminated near the Chepauk stadium. An interesting aspect was the erection of a big hoarding of the White House which gave a picture as if the demonstration is being conducted in front of the White House.

The rallyists were addressed by Sashikumar (Asian College of Journalism) the joint convener of the committee, N Varadarajan (CPI-M), Veerapandian (CPI), Samidurai (DK), Vasanthi Devi (former Vice-Chancellor of M S University and present chairman of Tamilnadu Women’s Commission) and Abdul Rahman (poet and writer).

A resolution condemning the war mongering of the US and Britain, was moved by senior journalist Malan of Sun TV and the same was adopted with a thunderous applause by those assembled. A Soundararajan of CITU shared his experience during the recent visit to Baghdad as part of the left solidarity delegation.

In the demonstration which was presided by A Arumuga Nainar (BEFI) another joint convener of the anti-war committee, the rallyists were welcomed by N M Sundaram (AIIEA) and thanked by N L Sridharan (TNGEA).

The committee has vowed to take up much bigger and broader mobilisations against the war.

The anti-war movement gathered momentum in Tamilnadu with the formation of a broad based ‘Committee Against The US War On Iraq’ on February 21. It consisted of veteran journalists, theatre and cinema artistes, writers, academics, representatives from trade unions and organisations of women, youth and students. Noted journalist and editor of the ‘Frontline’ magazine, N Ram is the convenor of this committee.

Among the programmes organised under the aegis of this committee was a public meeting at the Periyar Thidal Auditorium in Chennai on February 27. Despite short notice and insufficient publicity, the meeting was attended by more than 1500 people, which included about 200 women. Prakash Karat, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member very graphically explained as to what exactly were the reasons that led to this situation. He exhorted the Vajpayee government to condemn the US war on Iraq categorically. Under no circumstances, he warned, should the Indian soil be permitted for the US use in its war on Iraq.

Besides Prakash Karat, N Varadarajan, CPI(M) state secretary, A M Gopu (CPI), Jayathi Natarajan ex-MP (Congress), Mythily Sivaraman (AIDWA), C T Kurien (MIDS) and N Ram spoke in the meeting. The address of a US citizen and visiting faculty to the Asian College of Journalism Ms. John Pingam and the poetry recited by Gandharvan were highlights of this meeting.