Hundreds of Indian Americans protested at the Indian Embassy and consulates across United States on June 25 to express their anguish at police action against the peaceful protest led by Swami Ramdev in New Delhi on June 4.
Indian police had baton charged, kicked and beaten thousands of sleeping protesters that had gathered in New Delhi to join in fasting led by yoga guru Swami Ramdev.
On June 25, protesters gathered at Indian missions in Washington DC, Chicago, New York and San Francisco. Indian Americans dressed in traditional home-spun khadi cotton clothes marched silently at Indian missions carrying placards.
In Houston, Indian American community leaders gave five packages to Indian consulate containing a petition to the President of India signed by more than 5,200 people. There has been widespread anguish and outrage among Indian Americans toward the midnight action that brutalized thousands of sleeping men, women, children and the elderly.
The petition presented to the President of India states “India is a country which has always stood for righteousness and against oppression of any kind. For eons, we have prayed for Peace, Unity, and Harmony among all human beings. Today, we have assembled here, to protest against the oppression of June 4th midnight attack by Delhi Police on peaceful and sleeping demonstrators. We pledge to continue our fight against corruption and mark our solidarity and unity with Baba Ramdev’s cause.”
Shekhar Agrawal of Houston, Texsa said, “The protesters were really bitter and hurt from the Delhi police cruelty on the peaceful, fasting Satyagrihis and were strongly voicing for the change of the government. I believe that the fire Baba Ramdev has ignited in the hearts and minds of millions of people will cool off only after finishing the corruption and the corrupt people from India.”
Previously, hundreds of Indians had gathered for a day of fasting at temples, Gurudwaras and community centers marking Swami Ramdev’s fast on June 4th. Next day, community meetings and Internet forums sprung up as a sign of solidarity with Swami Ramdev. In a series of meetings and telephone conference calls joined by Indians from dozens of states, subsquently it was decided to hold a protest at Indian missions on June 25.
To sign the online petition, visit http://www.ravanlila.info/
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.114717355286207.24118.104774319613844
June 25th Protest Rally in front of CG, Chicago
