Few leaders in history have evoked as extreme reactions as United States President George W Bush does.
Even in India, while millions are happy that New Delhi has clinched a landmark nuclear deal with Washington, millions of others are out on the streets, participating in protest marches against Bush's India visit.
From Hyderabad to Kashmir, Mumbai to Kolkata, people in rallies and meetings are screaming 'George Bush go back.'
Just why are they opposed to Bush? Don't they think the nuclear agreement will help India? To try and find out, we did a dipstick survey of five people participating in an anti-Bush rally in New Delhi.
A R Geelani
Professor of Arabic
From Jammu and Kashmir, settled in New Delhi
Why are you against Bush?
George Bush is terrorising the world. It is shame that he is paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi, the icon of peace. Bush is making a mockery of the entire non-violent ideology by promoting violence all over the world and visiting Rajghat (where the Mahatma's memorial is located) at the same time.
What will you achieve by protesting?
I am here in the rally only to show solidarity with the people who are opposing Bush. He is an international terrorist and the whole world must know this fact.
What do you know about the India-US nuclear deal? Will India not benefit from it?
I am against all kinds of nuclear weapon technology. I believe in a nuke-free world. I believe Bush is a hypocrite -- he allows Israel to keep nuclear weapons but threatens to bomb Iran if they aspire to have nuclear weapons.
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Mohammad Hanif
Student, Faizana-E-Madina -- a madrassa
From Amroha, Uttar Pradesh
Why are you against Bush?
He is the enemy of Islam. He has killed thousands of innocent Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Indian government is selling its sovereignty by inviting Bush to India.
What will you achieve by protesting?
The only achievement I feel I can boast of is that the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government will realise that Muslims will turn against them if they support Bush.
What do you know about the India-US nuclear deal? Will India not benefit from it?
I have no idea what it is about.
***
Manish Srivastava
Student, Jawaharlal Nehru Univeristy, New Delhi
Originally from Guna, Madhya Pradesh
Why are you against Bush?
Bush is undemocratic and behaves like a dictator. He does everything for corporate interests and history has taught us that corporations never work in the interest of masses. They only protect the interests of a few people.
What will you achieve by protesting?
There is no achievement as such. This rally is only a way of protesting and making your thoughts public.
What do you know about the India-US nuclear deal? Will India not benefit from it?
I want a nuclear-free world. I believe we should not open our nuclear reactors for Americans to inspect. It is a wrong move.
***
Mahipal Mor
Farmer
From Jind, Haryana
Why are you against Bush?
He has killed thousands of innocent people in Iraq. He will surely do that in Iran too. He is against humanity. Any sensible person has to oppose him.
What will you achieve by protesting?
If he watches this on television or reads in the newspaper about the protests at least he will know there are thousands of people who don't agree with his policy.
What do you know about the India-US nuclear deal? Will India not benefit from it?
No idea.
***
Jasveer Panchal
Farmer
From Ambala, Haryana
Why are you against Bush?
He is an invader. He will capture one country after another. He is a threat to India.
What will you achieve by protesting?
It is a message for Bush. After seeing this rally he should realise that he should not repeat his mistakes by invading Iran.
What do you know about the India-US nuclear deal? Will India not benefit from it?
No Idea.
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