J&K to UP to Karnataka — protests for Palestine run into police action

In Bareilly, a day after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warned on October 12 against “any activity contrary to the views” of the Centre on the Israel-Palestine conflict, a doctor was booked for allegedly making objectionable social media posts about the Muslim community in the context of the conflict. Dr Pramendra Maheshwari was booked under sections dealing with “promoting enmity”.

In Hamirpur, two Muslim clerics were booked, and one of them was arrested on October 14, in relation to social media posts they made in support of Palestine. Suhail Ansari and Atif Chowdhary were booked under section dealing with “promoting enmity”, and Ansari was arrested.

Karnataka

On October 12, police detained a man identified as Nawaz in Vijayanagar, allegedly for posting a pro-Palestine slogan as his WhatsApp status.

Days later, Bengaluru Police booked 11 people in connection with a protest held in the city on October 16 to show solidarity with Palestinians.

Police also denied permission to Bengaluru for Justice and Peace – a coalition of civil society organisations – to hold a protest on October 28 in solidarity with Palestine. In a letter, Deputy Commissioner (West) S Girish said “permission has been sought to hold protests in matters of international issue” and the “(jurisdictional police inspector) has submitted a report against granting permission for the protest”.

In an open letter, Bengaluru for Justice and Peace said police “have detained protesters in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Tumkur, and are pursuing criminal action for protesting for the rights of Palestinians and calling for an immediate ceasefire”.

Jammu & Kashmir

A 92-year-old former MP from Jammu was among five people who spent a night in police custody last week over their decision to call a meeting to express solidarity with Gaza.

Sheikh Abdul Rehman was taken to a Jammu police station last Friday night, and spent the night there, ahead of the planned solidarity meeting scheduled for the next day at Maharaja Hari Singh Park in Jammu. According to his family, police gave no reason for his detention, and let him go by the next evening after making him sign a bond.

Shahid Saleem, one of the other four detained, said it was to be a meeting to call for an end to hostilities and was not an “anti-Israel protest”.

Srinagar’s Jama Masjid has also remained shut for three Fridays in a row, with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference linking it to apprehensions by authorities of pro-Palestine protests.

Tamil Nadu

Three people were booked in connection with an agitation organised in support of Palestine in Coimbatore on October 24.

According to officials, protesters gathered in large numbers and raised slogans demanding that countries around the world intervene in the conflict and support Palestine.

Police have registered a case against M S Sabeer Ali, district secretary Jamaat- e-Islami Hind; Abu alias Abuthagir of Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi; and one Rafeek under IPC sections linked to unlawful assembly, public nuisance and others.

Maharashtra

Two activists of the Revolutionary Workers Party of India were arrested by the Mankhurd police recently for allegedly staging a pro-Palestine protest without seeking the required permissions, and for charging at the authorities when they tried to intervene. Police said the incident took place on October 13.

“They did not seek any permission. They started raising slogans and when our team went and tried to make them understand that they had not taken permission before conducting any protest, they started charging at us due to which two of them were detained,” senior police inspector Mahadev Koli said.

The two arrested were identified as Ruchit Lad and Supreeth Ravish. They were subsequently granted bail.

Telangana

Police booked 11 students from the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) in Hyderabad after the Proctor claimed in a complaint that they instigated another 200 students and incited violence after they were denied permission to hold a pro-Palestine event on campus. The charges against the 11 included “giving provocation to cause rioting” and “promoting enmity”. The booked students, however, said they were not connected to the pro-Palestine event, and that the protests that rocked the campus last week were linked to a sexual harassment allegation.

Delhi

As many as 207 students from student organisations, including the All India Students’ Association (AISA), were detained from near the Israel Embassy on Monday while they were protesting against the country’s actions in Gaza.

Police said the students were found flouting security norms and violating Section 144 in the area. No FIRs were registered and the students were later allowed to go.