HINDUSTAN STANDARD, JULY 21, 1971
US FLAG DRAGGED DOWN, BURNT BY STUDENTS
By A Staff Reporter
Supporters of six leftist student bodies jointly staged a huge protest rally in front of the USIS library on Chowranghee, Calcutta, on Tuesday afternoon. The US flag has brought down from atop the building and a bonfire was made of it. An effigy or the US President was also burnt.
The demonstrators hoisted the flag of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam in place of the US flag on the USIS library building. Occasionally, slogans were chanted for victory to the Bangladesh liberation struggle and against US supply of arms to Pakistan.
A big armed police force stood by quietly in front of the building all the time the demonstration was staged. The situation was peaceful throughout.
Earlier, the student had assembled at Raja Subodh Mullick Square. A resolution affirming solidarity with the freedom-fighters of Vietnam against the US onslaught was adopted. Mr. Biman Basu presided and the speakers included Mr. Debasish Banerjee, Mr. Kshiti Goswami and Mr. Gautam Ghosh.
A procession was then taken to the US Consulate on Ho Chi Minh Sarani where an embassy official accepted a memorandum from the students. It demanded withdrawal of the US forces from South Vietnam. After this, the students went to the Raj Bhavan where the secretary to the Governor received from them a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister. The memorandum urged the Union Government to recognize the PRG and condemn the US Government for aggression in South Vietnam.
The demonstration was organized by the AISF, SFI, DSO, Progressive Student Union, Students Bloc and the Federation of Revolutionary Students.
UNI adds: Most educational institutions in the State remained closed on the day in observance of Vietnam Day called by these Organizations.