Strike Against Gaza Attacks, Calcutta, 2009

A state, West Bengal, India, and a city, Calcutta (Kolkata), ruled by privileged-caste Communist elites of Bangladeshi Hindu refugees, and privileged-class opposition Congress Party and Trinomool (Grassroots) Congress Party who chose not to live with their Muslim or oppressed-caste Hindu neighbors in their Bangladesh homeland, goes on for a just protest in the faraway Middle-East, yet since 1947 haven't held even one protest against atrocities on their own Hindu-Buddhist families or for establishing a secular, non-racist regime in Bangladesh. This are examples from 2009.

Bandh (general strike) against Gaza attacks
The Times of India
13 Jan 2009, 0323 hrs IST, TNN

KOLKATA: A four-hour bandh from 12 noon to 4 pm has been called by the Milli Ittehad Parishad West Bengal, a forum of 13 Muslim organisations to protest Israel's strikes on civilian targets in Gaza City of Palestine. Lawyer Idris Ali, who had moved high court against bandhs earlier, is himself a party to the bandh call. On Monday, he and Haji Abdul Aziz gave the call after a rally. The organisers will invite prominent leaders CPM* state secretary Biman Bose, Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee and state Congress working president Pradip Bhattacharya to a downtown protest gathering on Friday, hoping that none of them can ignore the invitation with the Lok Sabha election around. Although Left parties have already condemned the attacks on Palestine, it is not certain whether Bose will join Friday's gathering. Speakers at Monday's press conference came down heavily on Israel for the way it has targeted Hamas, the largest and most influential Islamic organisation in Palestine, killing women and children. They insisted that Israel was leading the attack at the prodding of the US.

* CPM - Communist Party of India-Marxist, rulers of Bengali states of West Bengal and Tripura and of the City of Kolkata (Calcutta), India


webindia 123.com
Kolkata Muslims protest against Israeli air strikes Kolkata
January 03, 2009 12:09:21 PM IST

Muslims here staged a massive demonstration to protest against Israel's offensive in Gaza that has claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent Palestine civilians. The demonstrators, who gathered outside Tippu Sultan's mosque, also set the Israeli flag on fire. Noorur Rehman Barkati, the Shahi Imam of the mosque said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA* chairperson Sonia Gandhi would be urged to snap bilateral ties with Israel immediately. "We have declared Israel a terrorist nation. We will burn their diplomatic offices all over India. If the war doesn't stop now, then their diplomatic consulates will be burnt in India and in other countries also," warned Barkati.

"America and the United Nations are corrupt because Muslims are bleeding and no action is being taken against the Israeli attackers. We Muslims have called it a Jihad. We will eradicate Israel for which plans are going on," Barkati added. In New Delhi , protestors gathered outside the Jama Masjid, to burn the Israeli and American flags, as well as an effigy. The Government of India has joined international calls for a halt to the conflict, and promised a million dollars in financial aid to affected families in Gaza.

Diplomats said the deadliest conflict in the Gaza Strip in four decades appeared close to a crucial stage after four days of cross-border fire had killed over 400 Palestinians and four Israelis.
Foreign powers have increased pressure on both sides to halt hostilities, whereas reports indicate that public anger in Israel could move the Government in Tel Aviv to hit the Hamas even harder. (ANI)

*UPA - United Progressive Alliance, the governing coalition in Delhi

Israeli hanar protibadey pathey Mamata (Protest against Israeli attack)
(Translated from a Calcutta Bengali Paper)

Trinomool (party) leader (Ms) Mamata Bandyopadhyay is begining a street protest today, Tuesday, against Israeli attack. In the afternoon there will be a protest meeting at the foot of Gandhi statue (in Calcutta), then march. At the begining of the protest Kabir Suman will sing songs of humanity. There will be leaders of (protection of) agcultural land, Imam of Tipu Sultan Mosque Nur Barkati and leaders of Trinomool minority (Muslim) leaders. Mamata has given responsibility to Trinomool Youth Congress leader (Mr) Madan Mitra. Trinomool's Youth Brigade will also be on the street.

Udayan (New York), February 1, 2009; 29