New Delhi, Sept 09: As Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon began his official engagements of his four-day visit here, workers belonging to Left Parties and Muslim organisations staged demonstrations against his visit and accused Israel of "massacre" of thousands of Palestinians. The BJP-led NDA government also came under severe criticism from these supporters for inviting Sharon and sought an assurance that new delhi would stay out of the "Axis of evil" comprising Israel and US.
Speaking at a rally near India Gate, CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said by inviting Sharon the government was sending a wrong message that India was against the Palestinian cause.
He said that the "root cause" of terrorism in West Asia was the occupation of Palestine. "Sharon has led many instances of violence against Palestinians and how could he be taken to Raj Ghat," Yechury asked.
CPI leader A B Bardhan said that Israel was yet to implement the UN resolutions on Palestine. "It is very sad that Indian government has invited killer Sharon and wonder whether New Delhi could end terrorism by aligning with Israel," he said.


They later courted arrest.

Bureau Report