US PRESIDENT George Bush’s visit to India evoked statewide protests with many political parties staging dharnas and burning his effigies.
A State Home Department spokesman said the demonstrations were peaceful. The Home Department listed information from 18 districts about the demonstrations. A convention was organised at Azad Inter College in Bareilly and 75 percent shops remained closed. Black flags were hoisted on some houses.
Besides, burning an effigy of Bush, black balloons were released from Darul Shafa in Lucknow. A procession was taken out in Aligarh, while a dharna was held in front of the district magistrate’s office in Gorakhpur.
Muslims plan Friday protest
On Friday, several Muslim organisations would observe Yaume baddua, or the day of cursing, besides holding a massive demonstration to protest against the visit of US President George Bush.
The demonstration would start after the Friday prayers outside the Vidhan Sabha. In the old city residents have been protesting the US President’s visit by hoisting black flags atop their houses.
On Thursday several Muslim organisations released black balloons and raised slogans against the US President.
Meanwhile, Maulana Anees Alam Siwani, the spokesman for Mohammadi Mission, has appealed to the Muslims to participate in large numbers in the Friday demonstration after offering prayers.
A function has also been planned at the Maulana Abdul Shakoor Hall, Hata Shaukat Ali in which Yaqoob Qureshi, the minister for Haj is also expected to take part.
{{/usCountry}}A function has also been planned at the Maulana Abdul Shakoor Hall, Hata Shaukat Ali in which Yaqoob Qureshi, the minister for Haj is also expected to take part.
{{/usCountry}}A meeting of Anjuman-e-Mohammadiya presided over by Mohammad Tahir Qureshi was also held in Chaupatiyan. An appeal was made to Muslims to peacefully hold the demonstration.
SFI stir at Shia PG College
STUDENTS OF the Shia PG College under the leadership of SFI unit president Peeyush Mishra staged demonstration on the campus to protest against the India trip of US President George W Bush. The students set afire an effigy of Bush and raised slogans against the US President and his “imperialistic plan”.
While setting the effigy on fire, Mishra suffered serious burn injuries to his hands.
Earlier, addressing the students, Mishra lamas basted the US for its hegemonistic policies and said that Bush wanted to impose a world order that envisages wiping out sovereign nations from the global map.
He said that Bush and his father had patronised Osama bin Laden and the al Qaeda. He also flayed the Manmohan Singh Government for its pro-Bush policies.