Protest held in Mumbai’s Azad Maidan to condemn violence against Palestinians in Gaza
The Speakers denounced Israel’s actions in Gaza, terming it as “genocide,” citing the International Criminal Court’s warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Around 250 citizens, political leaders, activists, and artists assembled at Azad Maidan on Wednesday afternoon to condemn the ongoing violence in Gaza and express solidarity with the Palestinian people. The public protest, held between 3 pm and 6 pm, was organised after Mumbai police on August 12, informed the Bombay High Court that it agreed to allow the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and allied groups to hold the gathering.
Describing the High Court Judgement as a huge victory, P Sainath, founder and editor of the People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI) said, “Palestine is not just a global issue, it’s a super local issue and an issue that is close to our hearts.” In his speech he also referred to Mahatma Gandhi’s statement in the Harijan Journal in 1938 which said, “Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English or France belongs to the French.”
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The assembly was called jointly by CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML), CPI(ML) Liberation, PWP, Samajwadi Party, NCP (SP), and the Indian National Congress, along with civil society platforms such as the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO).
Among those who addressed the crowd were CPI(M) leaders Vivek Monteiro and Prakash Reddy, activist Feroze Mithiborwala, Congress leaders Hussain Dalwai, Manoj Joshi, Dhananjay Shinde, and Sandesh Kondvilkar, Samajwadi Party representative Shabana Khan, and cultural figures including actor Swara Bhaskar, theatre personality Dolly Thakore, writer Beena Elias, editor of international magazine Gallerie, Bina Sarkar, and journalist P. Sainath.
The Speakers denounced Israel’s actions in Gaza, terming it as “genocide,” citing the International Criminal Court’s warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. They also condemned the killings of journalists reporting from Gaza, calling it an attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence independent voices.
“We may be far from Gaza, but our voices matter. When reporters are being killed for showing the world the reality, it becomes our responsibility to stand in solidarity and demand accountability,” said Anjali Deshmukh, a social worker from Bandra, holding a placard calling for peace.
“What is happening in Gaza is not just a political conflict, it is a humanitarian crisis. No child should grow up under bombs, and no journalist should be silenced for telling the truth,” said Rashid Khan, a college professor from Kurla.
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Permission for the meeting was granted only after CPI(M) approached the Bombay High Court for a second time this month. The court permitted the protest at Azad Maidan under strict conditions, including compliance with the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, and regulations against provocative speeches. Following this Mumbai Police had on Aug 12 informed the High Court of its decision to allow the gathering.
Earlier, the Mumbai Police had denied permission for the assembly, citing law-and-order concerns over demonstrations on international conflicts.
Wednesday’s meeting, however, passed off peacefully. Participants carried placards and banners calling for an immediate ceasefire, lifting of the blockade in Gaza, and protection of civilians and journalists.
Naresh S is a Trainee Correspondent with The Indian Express, based out of Mumbai. A graduate of Xavier’s Institute of Communication (XIC), he has an avid interest in civic issues and policy-related domains. At present, he reports on the transport sector, covering suburban railways, BEST bus serives and aviation with a propensity for in-depth analyses and researched-focused reportage.
Core Coverage Areas:
Naresh reports on Mumbai’s urban mobility and public systems, with a focus on transport infrastructure, commuter safety, and policy execution. His reporting is research-driven and data-backed, aimed at explaining how large public systems function or fail, for everyday commuters.
Transport (Primary Beat):
His main beat is transport, covering Mumbai’s suburban railways and BEST bus services. His reportage in this domain spans detailed coverage of events like the Mumbra train accident and its safety implications, as well as follow-up reporting on long-standing gaps such as the delayed implementation of automatic doors on Mumbai local trains. He also tracks infrastructure projects, operational disruptions, and policy decisions affecting daily commuters, often through explainer-style stories.
Aviation (Secondary Beat):
Naresh also covers aviation and airport infrastructure, including reporting on the Navi Mumbai International Airport project. His aviation coverage has included the IndiGo flight disruptions in December 2025, focusing on passenger impact, regulatory response, and systemic issues within civil aviation operations. ... Read More
