More anti-war protests in South Asia

More anti-war protests in South Asia

In Pakistan American fast food outlets have been a target of anger

Demonstrators across South Asia have continued to protest against the US-led campaign in Iraq.

In the southern Indian city of Bangalore over 10,000 Congress party supporters held the biggest demonstration in the city since the start of bombing in Baghdad.

Congress president, Janardhana Poojary led the protestors, along with several ministers.

The action coincides with increased anger amongst many Muslims at an advertisement in an Indian newspaper calling for non-Muslims to apply for jobs at an army base in Kuwait.

Earlier preferences

The advertisements were for positions such as clerks, typists, security guards and drivers and also insisted on candidates being able to speak good English.

Previously, many advertisements for posts in the Gulf have specified a preference for Muslims.

The recruiting agency involved in the advertisement is understood to have cancelled interviews for the posts it had been planning to hold at the end of the month.

In Indian-administered Kashmir a two-day strike has been called by the Jamiat-ul-Mujahadeen to protest against the war.

Businesses and schools in most parts of the valley remained closed.

The All Party Hurriyat Conference has not commented on the Iraq situation but some of the group's members have been more outspoken in their condemnation.

'US responsible'

There were more protests in Pakistan as groups condemned the US-led action in Iraq.

Shahid Shamsi of the Islamic alliance, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) told the AFP news agency: "The situation has drastically changed but the United States itself is responsible for the growing hatred against its policies."

The government cancelled the national day parade on Sunday after an estimated 200,000 people formed a huge anti-war rally in Lahore

Pakistan's Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali recently postponed a visit to Washington.

There have been calls to boycott American and British products and there have been several protests against US fast-food retailers.