Artists, politicians hold anti-war rally in Delhi

Politicians, theatre personalities and social activists got together in New Delhi on Monday to protest the US invasion of Iraq.

An eclectic group of politicians, theatre personalities and social activists got together in New Delhi on Monday to protest the US invasion of Iraq.

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Joining Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders Prakash Karat and Harkishen Singh Surjeet were painters Vivan Sundaram and Ram Rehman, theatre group Act One, journalist Seema Mustafa and large numbers of schoolchildren.

Sweating in the blazing sun, they shouted slogans and carried placards reading "No blood for oil" and "Say no to war".

Forming the backdrop was a huge picture of an Iraqi family fleeing the bombing raids of the coalition forces.

Act One staged a skit lampooning the US operations in Iraq.

Not to be outdone, the Progressive Song Squad sang a ditty describing the plight of Iraqis as they fled from the horrors of war.

A man covered from head to toe in tape and representing Iraq, hurled invectives at another wearing a tall hat and a T-shirt adorned by the American flag.

At the end of the rally, the protestors burnt effigies of US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Said Yogendra Sharma of the Committee Against War on Iraq that organised the protest: "This is the fourth such demonstration. We will continue to protest as long as the war lasts."