MUMBAI

 Hutatma Chowk Reverberates With Anti-Sharon Slogans

 Mahendra Singh

PROUD of its tradition of opposition to imperialism and colonialism and of support to liberation struggles the world over, Mumbai joined the nation in protesting the India visit of killer Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister. The CPI(M), Samajwadi Party, CITU, RPI (Athavale Group), Lal Nishan, Trade Union Solidarity Committee and a host of other constituents of the “Forum Against War And Terrorism” unitedly staged a vigorous, two hour long protest demonstration, on September 10, at the historic Hutatma Chowk, defying prohibitory orders.

On the day, the whole area surrounding Hutatma Chowk reverberated with sky-rending slogans: “Killer Sharon, Go Back,” “Hang Sharon, the Murderer of Innocent Palestinians,” “Killer of Sabara and Shatila, Go Back,” “Long Live Indo-Palestinian Friendship,” “Down with Vajpayee Government, the Host of Ariel Sharon,” and “Long Live Palestinian Struggle.” The hundreds of highly enthused demonstrators, who raised these slogans, included industrial workers, middle class employees, students, youth, women, and persons belonging to various religious and linguistic groups. The demonstration, carrying a large numbers of placards and banners, and chanting slogans, attracted the attention of the passers-by, many of whom joined the demonstration and listened to the speeches made by leaders of the participating organisations. The CPI(M) had mobilised several hundred people for the demonstration.

Apart from the Left and secular parties, a large number of Muslim organisations also opposed the Sharon visit. Muslim Ulema (religious clerics) also met the chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and demanded that he disallow Sharon’s visit to Mumbai. But the Maharashtra government remained non-commital. The Forum Against War And Terrorism also approached the Congress(I) and the NCP to join the demonstration. But they displayed indifference and did not join.

Those who addressed the demonstrators included CPI(M) Mumbai secretary Mahendra Singh, Samajwadi Party state president Abu Asim Azami, CITU state general secretary K L Bajaj, RPI MP Ramdas Athwale, RPI Athawale Group’s Mumbai president Gautam Sonavane, Tyagi of the SUCI and others.

Addressing the demonstrators, Mahendra Singh exposed the cruel deeds perpetrated by Ariel Sharon and the fascist character of his Likud Party, praised the glorious liberation struggle of Palestinians and lambasted the Vajpayee government for soiling the nation’s prestige by inviting Sharon to visit India. Abu Asim Azmi said that Mahatma Gandhi’s samadhi at Rajghat had been defiled, and extended wholehearted support to the Palestinian people’s struggle for liberation. K L Bajaj flayed the Vajpayee government for inviting Sharon. He said that even if the communal government of Vajpayee welcomed his fellow fascist Sharon, India with its glorious tradition of support to liberation struggles could never welcome Sharon. Ramdas Athavale, Gautam Sonavane and Tyagi also severely denounced Sharon and supported the Palestinian people’s liberation struggle.