Against War on Iraq:

Nationwide Protest Day on March 31

A number of leaders of political parties and political personalities issued the following statement on March 26, 2003.

 THE United States and Britain have embarked on a war against Iraq, violating all international laws and the United Nations charter. This illegal and unjust war is being conducted in flagrant defiance of world public opinion. For the past one week, the Iraqi people have been subjected to a barbaric attack through aerial bombardment of Baghdad and other cities. The loss of civilian lives and the destruction of property is mounting steadily. Iraq is a country with which India has close and friendly ties. This assault on the sovereignty of Iraq  has been opposed by all sections of the people of India.

 India has a long tradition of support to countries defending their national sovereignty against imperialist aggression. It is unfortunate that the Vajpayee government has not reflected the opinion of the Indian people by taking a firm stand, condemning the US aggression and declaring solidarity with Iraq. The Indian government should forthwith take a categorical stand calling for an end to the war and asking the United Nations to intervene.

 All over the  country various protests have been held to voice opposition to this unjust war. It is necessary to strengthen the opposition to the war and to let the United States and British governments know that the Indian people are totally against this armed aggression.

 We therefore jointly appeal to all sections of the people to lodge a powerful protest against the war on Iraq by observing March 31, 2003 as a nationwide protest day. On this day, all over the country, protests should be organised in various forms to give the message that India stands with the rest of the world in opposition to the war.

 The statement was signed by V P Singh (former prime minister), H D Deve Gowda (former prime minister), and president JD(S), I K Gujaral (former prime minister), Mulayam Singh Yadav (president, Samajwadi Party), Sharad Pawar (president, NCP), Laloo Prasad Yadav (president, Rashtriya Janata Dal), Harkishen Singh Surjeet (general secretary CPI(M)), A B Bardhan (general secretary CPI), Debabrata Biswas (general secretary Forward Bloc), Dipankar Bhattacharya (general secretary, CPI(ML)), and K P Pankajakshan (general secretary, RSP).