Nearly 10,000 people took out a silent rally in Hyderabad on Sunday to protest against America's plans to invade Iraq.

Braving scorching sun, the marchers, including women and children, held banners and placards condemning US President George W Bush and his ally British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

'Drop Bush Not Bombs', 'No War', 'Down with America' and 'Down with the Imperialist Globalisation' were some of the slogans carried on the banners.

The Forum Against War, comprising prominent intellectuals and human rights activists in Hyderabad, had given the call for the march, which started at 1030 IST from Charminar and concluded at the Abids commercial centre around noon.

Leaders of political parties, representatives of trade unions and women and youth organisations, non-governmental organisations and the journalists participated in the eight-km rally.

"George Bush has failed to feel the pulse of the international community and is living in a fool's paradise," Madhulata, one of the protestors, said.

Juliet, a French teacher who was accompanied by a Spanish lady, said she chose to participate in the march to tell the people that not everybody supported the US plans.

Pushp M Bhargava, founder-director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology and convenor of the Forum Against War, said the procession was representative of three to four million people.

"This march has been attended by the representatives of political parties, trade unions and mass movements representing lakhs of people. They are all with us in this opposition to war. This is not a political movement but a fight to protect human rights. If US attacks Iraq, it would create unprecedented chaos in the world," he said.

Asked why India did not witness massive protests, which were seen all over the world, one of the protestors said, "It is just the beginning and it will inspire others to come out and protest".

Poet Jwalamukhi ended the march on an optimistic note. "The latest developments, including the destruction of missiles by Iraq, indicate that the threat of war is diminishing," he said.