 Online edition of India's National Newspaper Thursday, Dec 04, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Front Page |
|
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Retail Plus | Classifieds | Jobs | Obituary |
Front Page
IN REMEMBRANCE: Mumbaikars take part in a protest rally against the recent terror attacks, at the Gateway of India on Wednesday. (Right) A girl lights candles in memory of the martyrs and victims of the attacks, at the Great India Palace in Noida. - PHOTOS: PTI MUMBAI: All roads led to the Taj Mahal Hotel this evening in Mumbai. In a show of solidarity, thousands of people marched to the hotel, often raising slogans against politicians, Pakistan and the reaction of the Indian government to last week’s terror attack on the metropolis. Wednesday marked the completion of one week since a group of terrorists paralysed the metropolis by killing and holding hostage hundreds of people in two of the city’s luxury hotels, at a Jewish religious centre and at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. What was to be a peaceful candlelight vigil to show unity against the attacks and to pay respect to those who lost their lives in the mindless killings, turned into a massive people’s protest. There were people from across the city and from all walks of life holding placards, banners, distributing leaflets with charter of demands or just walking in the crowds. Many who were just visiting Mumbai also participated in the march. “Instead of taking the train home we all came here. We have to show our support and we have to protest. We must not sit back and take this drivel by politicians,” said Mukesh Mehta, an accountant with a firm in the Fort area. Initially the crowd was calm, but as the numbers swelled the atmospehere became more charged and the sloganeering against Pakistan became the most vocal. “Hindustan Zindabad,” “Halla Bol,” “Bharat Mata ke Jai,” and “Hindustan ke shore hai, Mumbai meri jaan hai,” (loosely translated as “India’s pride Mumbai is our life”) were some of the cries. Banners galoreHundreds of people carried banners such as “Enough is enough,” “We want action, not rhetoric,” “Mumbaikars wake up, we need to act.” Others were distributing leaflets, which listed demands that included a uniform civil code. Street performers, a man dressed as Mahatma Gandhi and other celebrities added a touch of colour if not entertainment to the protest march. “We need to be here. Look at the numbers. It is amazing. People are extremely angry. Too many people have lost near ones in the city. We have to show our solidarity. Mumbaikars are amazing,” said Mahesh Patel, a businessmen from Bora Bazaar. “I got into the crowd and as we began to walk I felt a great sense of nationalism. We are a democracy. Our so called leaders have to listen to us. We have to protest this terrible act on humankind,” said Usha Sathe, a housewife from Dadar. “My contribution”“I have come on work from Delhi, but I thought I had to do my bit for my country when such a terrible tragedy hits us. Participating in this is my contribution. It is a way of us showing our anger but in a peaceful way,” said Ajay Ahuja, a lawyer. Across many citiesPTI reports: Tens of thousands of people across the country poured into the streets and held candle-light vigils and peace marches on Wednesday evening in a spontaneous show of solidarity with residents of terror-ravaged Mumbai. Shouting slogans, people gathered in Jantar Mantar in Delhi, near Cubbon Park in Bangalore, War Memorial in Secunderabad and at the Maidan and College street in Kolkata, Lucknow and Chennai, “Terrorism has no religion. People should unite in the fight against terror,” said Sandeep Mishra, an engineer, at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. In Kolkata, a Pakistani flag was burnt by protesters who condemned Islamabad’s “hand” in the terror attack. “Enough is enough,” said a placard in Bangalore.
Printer friendly
page
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | The Hindu ePaper | Business Line | Business Line ePaper | Sportstar | Frontline | Publications | eBooks | Images | Ergo | Home |
Copyright © 2008, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|