Indian footballer Baichung Bhutia’s decision not to carry the Olympic torch when it arrives in Delhi on April 17 should be welcomed by everyone. All those who cherish freedom and value democracy must stand by Tibetan people in their struggle.

India should take a firm stand against China and not allow the Olympic torch to pass through India. We must immediately announce the boycott of the Beijing games.

India has nothing to lose. We are out of contention for hockey, our national game. Cricket is not an Olympic event. We have a slim chance of winning a medal or two in shooting or wrestling and even if we do, majority of the Indian public and the media will not care. For them, sports means cricket.

Western countries always harp on human rights issues. They boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics to protest the invasion of Afghanistan by the then Soviet Union. China has occupied Tibet since decades. Now it is time for the Western countries to put their words in to action. The French President has hinted at boycotting the opening ceremony at the Beijing games. But why only the opening ceremony? If they have the guts, they must call for a complete boycott of the Being Olympics.