NGO protests against Arun Gandhi's resignation; 23 held

Police today arrested 23 people and prevented protestors from reaching the Mahatma's statue at Mantralaya while they were staging a dharna against resignation of Arun Gandhi, great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, following his article in the Washington Post blog on Israeli occupation of Palestine.

A strong force of 150 policemen blocked the 50 odd protesters from representatives of political parties and NGOs and arrested 23 people, who were later released on bond.

Expressing his indignation, Arun Gandhi told UNI, ''The idea was to assemble and protest against the silence of the Indian government and the media on a very important matter. This shows how powerful the Zionist lobby is.'' Expressing his disappointment in the government and the media, Mr Arun said he was surprised and saddened at their inaction and ignorance of the US-Israel nexus.

Arun Gandhi was forced to resign from the Department of Non-Violence, University of Rochester, US, following his article on January 17 which criticised Israeli occupation of Palestine and its policies on Washington Post blog. He had also used the word ''Jew'' in his article.

He came under pressure to apologise and negate not only his views of his great grandfather Mahatma Gandhi. Arun apologised for using the word ''Jew'' in his article, but refused to either apologise for the article or negate his views.

-- (UNI) -- 26BY33.xml

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