Protest held in Mumbai's Azad Maidan to condemn violence against Palestinians in Gaza
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.'
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.
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.
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