3 min readAhmedabadUpdated: Oct 6, 2025 01:19 AM IST
During the event, a symbolic candle in the shape of a coffin without a wick was demonstrated signifying “many people's silence” over what is happening in Palestine (Express Photo)
Palestine people in Gaza have endured a genocidal war that has claimed 66,000 lives including 225 journalists, said Palestine’s Ambassador to India Abdullah Mohammed Abu Shawesh on Sunday. The suffering has reached such an extreme that many medical surgeries are being performed without anesthesia or pain killers, he said.
The Ambassador was delivering a public speech at a function organised by voluntary organisation Navsarjan at its Dalit Shakti Kendra near Sanand of Ahmedabad district.
Civil rights activist Gagan Sethi, social activist and former member of the Planning Commission of India Syeda Hameed and people from 14 districts of Gujarat attended the function where the Ambassador of Palestine was felicitated.
The programme was organised by Navsarjan with an objective to raise the issue of the plight of people in Palestine, with a message that ‘People Prefer Peace over Politics’, the organisation said.
During the event, a symbolic candle in the shape of a coffin without a wick was demonstrated signifying “many people’s silence” over what is happening in Palestine. The ambassador was present on the occasion on invitation.
Speaking at the function, Shawesh said, “The very theme of today’s event reflects the essence of what our world needs most — peace must always come before politics, and humanity before all religions.”
Talking about the war in Gaza, he said, “The Palestine people in Gaza have endured a genocidal war that has claimed 66,000 innocent souls including 225 journalists with thousands still under the rubble…And the suffering has reached such an extreme that many medical surgeries are being performed without anesthesia or painkillers.”
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He also said that over 1,50,000 tonnes of explosive materials have been dropped on Gaza during the ongoing war.
He further said that the people of Palestine are undergoing immense suffering under harsh conditions, yet their hope has remained alive.
Speaking about the programme, Navsarjan founder Martin Macwan said, “The deaths of children happening in Palestine is quite painful. So, we organised this candle programme. A five-feet-long candle in the shape of a coffin box is filled with wax; but there is no wick in it. It signifies the silence of many people over what is happening in Palestine — they are seeing everything, not saying anything.”
According to Macwan, they have also put four big candles over the structure which signifies the four noble truths of Lord Budhha. It also has eight small candles which signifies the eight-fold path in Buddhism.
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Macwan said that the main objective of the programme was to make more people know about what is happening in Palestine.
Macwan said that the ambassador was touched by the programme where several people felicitated him.
Later in the day, Shawesh also attended a meeting with around 50 civil rights activists in Ahmedabad city. The meeting was organised by civil rights activist Mujahid Nafees. Nafees said that it was organised to express solidarity with the people of Palestine. During the meeting, the ambassador shared the information about what is currently happening in Palestine and the plight of people there.
Parimal A Dabhi works with The Indian Express as Chief of Bureau, focusing on the state of Gujarat. Leveraging his seniority and access, Dabhi is recognized for his reporting on the complex interplay of law, politics, social justice, and governance within the region.
Expertise & Authority
Core Authority (Social Justice and Law): Dabhi is a key source for in-depth coverage of caste-based violence, discrimination, and the state's response to social movements, particularly those involving Patidar, Dalit and OBC communities. His reporting focuses on the societal and legal fallout of these issues:
Caste and Discrimination: He has reported extensively on social boycotts and instances of violence against Dalits (such as the attack on a Dalit wedding party in Patan), the community's demands (like refusing to pick carcasses), and the political responses from leaders like Jignesh Mevani.
Judicial and Legal Affairs: He tracks significant, high-stakes legal cases and judgments that set precedents in Gujarat, including the convictions under the stringent Gujarat Animal Preservation Act (cow slaughter), 2002 Gujarat riots and developments in cases involving former police officers facing charges of wrongful confinement and fake encounters.
Political and Administrative Oversight: Dabhi provides essential coverage of the inner workings of the state government and the opposition, ensuring a high degree of Trustworthiness in political analysis:
State Assembly Proceedings: He frequently reports directly from the Gujarat Assembly, covering Question Hour, discussion on various Bills, debates on budgetary demands for departments like Social Justice, and ministerial statements on issues like illegal mining, job quotas for locals, and satellite-based farm loss surveys.
Electoral Politics: His work details key political developments, including election analysis (voter turnout records), party organizational changes (like the end of C R Patil’s tenure as BJP chief), and campaign dynamics. ... Read More
