“Bengaluru Will Stand With Palestine”: Hundreds Rally at Freedom Park
Bengaluru witnessed a powerful show of solidarity with Palestine on Friday as hundreds of citizens gathered at Freedom Park despite restrictions on flags and slogans imposed by the city police. The demonstration, organised by Bengaluru for Justice and Peace (BfJP) a coalition of student groups, trade unions, women’s collectives, and civil rights organisations drew more than 500 participants, according to organisers.
Strong Police Presence
Around 200 police personnel were deployed around Freedom Park, with authorities citing the need to maintain order. While officials enforced strict rules against Palestinian flags, protesters came armed with voices, poetry, and speeches that condemned Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.
Voices of Resistance
Prominent rights activists including KV Bhat (Joint Confederation of Trade Unions), Chukki Nanjundaswamy (Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha), and Vinay Srinivas addressed the crowd.
- Kashmiri student Zayed Haidry responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier remark, saying: “You can’t identify us by clothes, but by heart.”
- Women activists recited poems of Palestinian writers. Nupur Azadi moved many to tears as she read the last poem of slain poet Refaat Alareer, while Afeefa Tabassum (AISA) and Louna Jahan performed verses that resonated deeply with the gathering.
- Religious and community leaders also spoke. Shia scholar Moulana Syed Ali Baqir honoured resistance leaders, while
- Reverend Emmanuel, a Dalit Tamil Christian, held up his keffiyeh and declared: “This is not just keffiyeh, this is Palestine.”
Message of Unity
Speakers repeatedly pledged that Bengaluru would continue to stand with the people of Palestine. Civil rights activist Tanveer Ahmed recalled larger global protests and urged Bengaluru to rise in the same spirit. Mohammed Hayyan, state secretary of the Students Islamic Organisation of India, vowed that demonstrations would continue until Palestine is free.
Criticism of Governments
In a press statement, organisers criticised both the Indian and Karnataka governments. They condemned Bengaluru-based companies supplying arms to Israel and accused the Congress-led state government of ignoring its party’s official position by deepening ties with the Israeli consulate.
Throughout the protest, demonstrators raised slogans against Israel, the United States, and India’s foreign policy stance, calling it complicit in what they described as the genocide of Palestinians.
Source: Maktoob Media
