WB: Anti-Imperialist Rallies Call for End to US Hegemony

Kolkata: A large anti-imperialist march on Thursday called for an end to the global hegemony of the United States (US) and condemned North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s (NATO) expansion in Europe. The well-decorated rally, which was adorned with anti-war tableaus depicting US aggression on third-world countries, was called by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). Activists of left trade unions of the state took part in the demonstration.

The entire stretch of 2 km from Ramlila Maidan in Central Kolkata to Park Circus Maidan in South Central Kolkata was dotted with red flags, and such was the rally’s scale that it took about 20 minutes for it to pass from any given point.

Slogans of “Say No to War, We Want Peace” rang loudly in the rally. After reaching the endpoint, there was a brief meeting which was addressed by Anadi Sahu, secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) state unit, among others. Leaders of other central trade unions like CITU, AITUC, UTUC, TUCC, AIUTUC, AICCTU, and BEFI also joined. Apart from the workers, teachers and intellectuals, activists of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation too joined the rally in large numbers.

In his speech, Anadi Sahu explained how the working population of third-world countries was affected by US aggression and domination. He alleged that India was now a junior partner of the US and was fast coming out from the non-aligned foreign policy of the past.

Arindam Mukherjee (51), a CITU functionary from South 24 Parganas district, participated in the rally and walked for the entire road length. Talking to NewsClick, he said, “The global order now consists of the US imperialist design, and India is being wooed to stand against China, which is in the interest of the US. If a small country like Cuba can ward off imperialist aggression despite being severely embargoed, then a much larger country like India cannot be bullied by the US to court its policies on international matters.”

“NATO expansion is behind the war in Ukraine, and sovereignty of Russia is under question mark if the NATO expansion continues,” he added.

Another rally took place at Durgapur following WFTU’s call. The rally in the steel city started from Ashis Market and was inaugurated by Shubhojit Choudhury, a professor at the National University of Technology (NIT). The rally here was led by women and children, followed by Red Volunteers and different sections of the masses.

Tribal artists with dhamsa and madol (tribal musical instruments) played their instruments at the start of the rally. Red Volunteers dressed in attires of different religions and held the national flag, and called for peace amid the charged communal atmosphere across the Indian subcontinent.

The march crossed different avenues of the A zone and B zone of Durgapur and concluded at Newton Avenue in the city's heart. There, the participants took an oath to maintain tranquillity and peace in the country against the conspiracy of US policymakers and the Central government’s attempt to become close allies with the US. CITU leader Biswaroop Banerjee led the swearing-in ceremony.