NEW DELHI: Showing his solidarity with the Tibetan protests Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia has decided to drop out of the torch relay in India.

While informing this sources said that Bhutia faxed his decision to the Indian Olympic Association on Monday after he had been chosen to carry the torch when it arrives in New Delhi on April 17.

Baichung Bhutia interacting with the media said that "I sympathize with the Tibetan cause. I have many friends in Sikkim who follow Buddhism. This is my way of standing by the people of Tibet and their struggle. I abhor violence in any form."

Baichung who is a Buddhist has empathised with the sentiments of the Tibetan people and has asserted that he was not forced by any group to pull out.