Hundreds of individuals gathered near Bengaluru’s MG Road metro station on the evening of Monday, October 16, to express their unwavering solidarity with Palestine amidst the ongoing conflict with Israel. The peaceful gathering was organized by various citizen groups in the city and aimed to draw attention to the plight of the Palestinian people.
Participants formed a human chain along the bustling MG Road, holding placards and posters expressing their support for Palestine. Additionally, a poignant candlelight vigil was held to honor those affected by the conflict.
However, the event was not without its challenges, as several protestors who were distributing informational pamphlets on the situation in Palestine found themselves detained by the police. The authorities cited an order prohibiting protests in various parts of the city, except in Freedom Park. While one group of detained protestors was released shortly afterward, another batch was taken to the Ashok Nagar and Cubbon Park police stations.
Aishwarya Ravikumar, the General Secretary of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), expressed her concerns over the detentions, stating, “It is unfortunate that in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, protesters standing up for Palestine are being detained by the police. India has always stood with Palestine. In Bengaluru, we tried to bring together people who continue to stand in solidarity with Palestinians, no matter what people in power are trying to do. The genocide there has reached unprecedented levels.”
Protestors at the event displayed their support for Palestine by wearing black bands tied around their mouths and holding posters with messages such as “India with Palestine” and “We stand with Gaza.”
Maryam, one of the protestors, stressed, “Our assembly here is driven by a sense of humanity; it is our responsibility to advocate for those who do not have the same privileges as we do. Every individual should have the opportunity to lead a life free from the constant fear for their children and themselves.”
Zayed, a student, said, “This peaceful gathering is a genuine display of unity with the Palestinian people. As an advocate for Palestine, I believe that the Indian government should work to exert international pressure and advocate for a ceasefire in Palestine, considering our country’s commitment to the Palestinian cause.”
Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 called Operation Al Aqsa Flood. This multi-pronged surprise attack included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. In response, Israel cut water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007. Israeli authorities have also ordered more than 1 million Gazans in the northern Strip to evacuate to the southern region, raising concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
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