The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Bush symbolises colonialism'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 03, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Bush symbolises colonialism'

Staff Reporter

U.S. President termed as symbol of colonialism and crime against humanity Parties take out rally against visit of U.S. President to India

WAVE OF PROTESTS: Activists of Samajwadi Party and Left parties taking out a rally at Jakkarayanakere in Bangalore on Thursday in protest against visit of U.S. President George Bush. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: Speakers at a rally on Thursday to oppose the visit of U.S. President George W. Bush said that Mr. Bush symbolised colonialism.

They called for keeping aside political and ideological differences in fighting colonialism being forced through globalisation. The rally terms declared that the people will not ratify any agreement between India and the U.S. violating the Non-Alignment Movement principles being practised by India.

The Samajwadi Party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), the Sarvodaya Karnataka Party, the All India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD), several Dalit and Muslim outfits participated in the rally, which started from Chikkalalbagh and concluded at Jakkarayanakere grounds here on Thursday.

`Crime against humanity'

Participants showed placards describing Mr. Bush as a symbol of crime against humanity and shouted slogans against his visit.

CPI (M) State Secretary and MLA G.V. Srirama Reddy said Thursday was "black day". There is nothing more shameful than Prime Minister Manmohan Singh waiting for Mr. Bush at the Air Base and receiving him violating the protocol, he said.

`Fight globalisation'

K.S. Puttannaiah of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) said the fight should be against globalisation of the economy. Globalisation was directed against the agricultural sector. Once the sector collapses, India has to surrender before the superpower, he said and added that neither the software companies nor the biotechnology sector can save the country.

Samajwadi Party State unit President and Shimoga MP S. Bangarappa said the United Progressive Alliance Government has been following a unilateral approach ignoring the Left allies. All the Left parties have opposed and will oppose any vote against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency, he said.

AIPJD leader R. Krishnappa, Sarvodaya Party leader Devanur Mahadeva, CPI State Secretary Siddanagouda Patil and several Dalit and Muslim leaders participated in the rally.

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