Protests in all over India amid Israel-Gaza war are interrupted by police

Israel and Hamas led Palestinian militant group are into a war started on 7th October 2023 when the Hamas surprisingly attacked Israel that killed number of people including taking people hostages to Gaza. According to AP, total number of killed in Israel are 1,400 and 5,431 number of Israelis were injured however the death toll has reached to 8,005 in Gaza. 116 numbers of Palestinians killed in West Bank, 20,242 number of Palestinians were injured and 2,000 number of Palestinians were injured in the West Bank, due to the war. The number of causalities and deaths are expected to increase because of ongoing bombardments in Gaza.
Countries such as India, United States, United Kingdom making total of 44 nations who have condemned Hamas terrorist actions whereas Kuwait, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia are few of them behind blaming Israel for the attack. The devastating footages coming from Gaza is taking over internet and media channels. According to the information, Israel has blocked all the exit points of Gaza including electricity, food and water. Gaza has blamed that Isarel is bombing the same routes, its military mentioned to take for evacuation. Humanitarian organizations and its advocates are constantly asking for ceasefire to stop the massacre. Out of numbers of death in Gaza, a third of them are children, according to the Al Jazeera.
Where leaders like President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak publicly lend support to Israel despite its aggressive and unfair approach of blocking basic access to food and water, and bombarding hospitals where number of Palestinians taking shelter either injured or from air strikes, people of these countries are on streets voicing their support for Palestine and its people. Similarly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned Hamas led attack on Israel declaring it a terrorist attack. Later, India sends humanitarian aid to Palestine. According to mint, ‘An IFA C-17 flight carrying around 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine on Sunday departed for Ei-Arish airport in Egypt.’
However, India is a first Non-Arab country to recognize Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). People in the capital New Delhi have gathered for protests, rallies conducting in solidarity of Palestinians who have died or are facing deadly consequences, while condemning Israel. Group of students, activists could be seen in different parts of the country since the war started. Damini is one such humanitarian volunteer who has participated in various protests and rallies to advocate for humanitarian welfare in multiple cases in India. She addressed the problems protestors go through during protests and especially when the conflict is driven by such international forces at global level. While addressing the Israel-Gaza war she said, ‘It is mass destruction. Women, children, old people, men, everybody. It’s not about specific community but generations are finished. 17 members of single family, academic session is announced ended because all students have been reportedly died. Leaders are not seeing this? We all cannot imagine what currently people stuck in war are going through, and standing in solidarity with them is the only way possible we can show them our support.’
It is a repeated pattern of war, leaders fight for hegemonic power and compromise security of civilians. They are the ones who face the worst scenario of violence, according to Damini. While multiple protests are being conducted in India, few were seen supporting Israel’s attack. Hindu nationalist Yati Narsinghanand, who is also a priest released a video and were seen saying ‘Hindu and Jews have the same enemy – Muhammad and his satanic book’. He also urged to Israel to let 1,000 Hindus settle in the country to take on those Muslims. He has been accused for passing derogatory comments over minorities and women. Taking sides during such crucial time would be against humanity said Damini. According to her, leaders should immediately ask for ceasefire on humanity grounds. ‘I am watching and reading lot of people taking sides or posting history of Israel or Palestine to justify actions of both the countries. I believe instead, people should voice out for humanitarian aid in Gaza and Israel’, she said.
She told EAT news that protests and coming on streets for promoting humanity over everything else is the most significant part everybody should play. We are surrounded with wars, deaths, violence, advocating human welfare is the current need that should be followed by every person.
Protests in India regarding Israel-Gaza war has been interrupted by police. Damini expressed protestors are always seen as rebels and not like volunteers or changemakers. ‘Protest is considered as an illegal activity or rebellions gathering together. We are volunteers who consider it as a responsibility to speak up against the wrong and try to vocal about change. We urge all the leaders to stop labelling us as a disturbing element of society and let us do out thing peacefully’, she said.