Citizens March Against War on Ukraine and for Safe Return of Indian Students
CPIML, All India Students Association along with concerned citizens and various progressive organizations of Delhi joined Peace March at Mandi House on 26th February. Protesters gathered at Mandi House, New Delhi and raised slogans against the military aggression by Russia and the US-NATO expansion in Europe. The protesters called upon the Indian government to immediately ensure the safe evacuation of all Indian citizens trapped in the crisis areas.
Protesters held a march and public meeting at Barakhamba Road where Ravi Rai, CPIML Delhi Secretary condemned the Russian aggression, stating, "This war waged on the people of Ukraine is an imperialist war and the people are resisting it everywhere. We demand that the Modi government ensure the safe evacuation of all Indian citizens." AISA Delhi State Secretary, Neha said at the protest, "no war has ever been waged by a government in favour of the people. We demand that Russia and US-NATO stop theur quest of Ukraine and let the Ukrainian people decide for themselves!"
The protest concluded with solidarity to all anti-war movement across the world and the demand for ensuring safe return of Indian citizens.
Peace March in Patna
AIPWA, AISA and RYA organized an anti-war peace march against Russia's barbaric attack on Ukraine in Patna on 27 February 2022. Leaders of the organizations said that the Russian attack on Ukranian borders and the display of military aggression is a matter of the gravest concern. The resolution to the present crisis must be found in a peaceful manner through mutual talks giving due respect to the Ukranian people's right to self-determination.
AIPWA General Secretary Meena Tiwari said that we strongly condemn the war hysteria being spread by America and Britain concerning Ukraine. NATO countries should put a stop to attempts at occupying East European countries. America and Britain may call NATO a defensive organization, but the truth is that their earlier activities in Afghanistan, Yugoslavia and Libya (and earlier in Iraq) have without doubt been activities to further imperialistic interests.
RYA National President and Agiaon MLA Manoj Manzil said that Russia must immediately stop the attack on Ukraine and resolve the matter diplomatically. Moreover, the government of India must guarantee the safe return of Indian citizens stuck in Ukraine. Even today about 20,000 Indian students and citizens are stranded in Ukraine. Flight costs have been increased exorbitantly, which is extremely wrong.
March Organized in Lalkua, Uttarakhand
A march was held in Lalkuan in Uttarakhand against the war. Addressing the brief meeting on the occasion, CPIML Uttarakhand Secretary Raja Bahuguna said that the war perpetrated by Russia against Ukraine is a direct attack on the sovereignty of an independent country and the CPIML condemns this in the strongest terms. Every war spreads unrest in the world and destroys lives and property of the people as well as economies of countries. As a result of Russia's attack, lakhs of lives including those of thousands of Indians are in danger. Any problem can be resolved in a peaceful manner through talks. War only creates new problems.
He said that the government is moving at snail's pace in the task of safely bringing back Indian citizens stranded in Ukraine, whereas what is needed is for the government to act on a war footing to bring back Indian citizens at government expense. He further said that imperialist nations have today made the whole world sit atop a mountain of dynamite. A single whim of theirs can push the whole of humanity towards destruction. The need of the hour is not war but peace and this needs to be disseminated extensively.
Punjab
CPIML organized a protest rally on 28 February at Bhikhi in Punjab against the bombing of Ukraine by the Russian army and against the interventions by America and NATO under the pretext of helping Ukraine. The rally and meeting concluding with the burning of effigies of Russian supremo Putin and NATO leaders.
Similar marches and other programmes were also held at many other places across the country.
