Thousands gather showing support to Palestine amid ongoing conflicts

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The city witnessed a powerful display of solidarity on Monday with the victims of Palestine demanding "Freedom for Palestine" and calling for Israel to "Stop bombing Gaza".

Over 2000 people belonging to different age groups and professions gathered near MG Road in Bengaluru to condemn the injustice suffered by Palestinian women and children, who have been enduring the brunt of the violence in the region.

The protesters claimed that false narratives, like the debunked tales of Israeli infant beheadings, have been used to justify atrocities. Such narratives have been historically employed to colonise, enslave, and oppress the societies over the ages.

The demonstration, while intended to be peaceful, faced a significant hurdle as the jurisdictional police claimed that the protestors had not obtained the necessary permission to hold the protest.

This led to the policemen detaining a number of protesters and ordering the crowd to disperse. However, the protestors remained steadfast in their commitment to the cause.

The crowd assembled, stretching from the Brigade Road junction to the Anil Kumble Circle. Narashimma Moorthy, a human rights activist, told News Trail, "Israel cannot take the lives of over 2 lakh innocent people based on claims of attack from border regions; this constitutes a blatant violation of human rights. It is a crime, and we unite in condemnation of their actions Anybody accused of killing innocents should be dealt as per the law and not war."

Faizal Syed, a protester, said, "India, along with its Muslim community, stands in solidarity with Palestine. Just as Mahatma Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Nelson Mandela did we stand with innocent infants, children and women killed in the bombings."

He stressed that it is both our right and responsibility to support them. Another demonstrator emphasised that India has, and always will, stand with Palestine, denouncing the ongoing inhumane incidents there.

"The people of Palestine deserve justice, and we stand in solidarity with them," he said.

As more and more people joined the protest the protestors were asked by the policemen to shift from the Rangathala area of the MG Road Metro Station to the opposite side to stay clear of the metro station premises. The Cubbon Park Police took measures to push protestors away from the restricted area, and any individuals who raised slogans or chanted were also detained.

The gathering highlighted the collective anguish and concern for the two million Palestinians who have been living under constant threats and attacks for over decades, resulting in the loss of over thousands of civilian lives and the displacement of lakhs of people.