Thousands gather in Delhi to protest Olympic Torch Relay

Thousands of people including the Tibetans and Indians gather at Raj Ghat and Jantar Mantar at New Delhi to protest against the Olympic Torch Relay. They expressed solidarity with the Tibetans and condemned China for alleged human right violation. Protesters carried out rallies and processions in different parts of Delhi. Surprisingly, more and more Indians came out in open against the Olympic Torch relay.

BJP leader Kirti Azad and former Defence Minister George Fernandez, Nafisa Ali, Arundhati Roy and Swami Agnivesh led the protest march, condemning the Chinese atrocities in Tibet. Similar protests have been reported from Mumbai, Varanasi and Bangalore. In Mumbai, 30 Tibetan students were arrested by the police outside Chinese Consulate. Around 3,000 pro-Tibetans took out a protest march in Bangalore. In Delhi, around 5000 pro-Tibetans took out a parallel protest torch rally from Raj Ghat to Jantar Mantar.

According to latest reports, Tibetan people clashed with the Delhi police at Jantar Mantar, forcing the police to use force. Some people have been injured in the scuffle. At least 30 Tibetan protesters were arrested outside Le Meridien hotel. Delhi turned into a fortress with more than 15,000 security personnel taking guard to protect the Olympic Torch Relay. Meanwhile ace shooter Jaspal Rana and Sarod Player Ayaan Ali Khan have pulled out of the Torch Relay at the eleventh hour. The Olympic Torch Relay will begin at 4 PM.