New Delhi: A massive protest was held at Jantar Mantar on Friday in solidarity with Palestine, condemning Israel’s continued military aggression in Gaza and warning against its plans for complete control over the besieged strip.
Hundreds of citizens from Delhi and adjoining states joined the demonstration, cutting across religious, cultural and ideological backgrounds. Students, civil society activists, religious leaders, politicians, and common citizens participated, sending out a strong message that support for Palestine is not confined to the Muslim community but shared by all peace and justice-loving people in India.
Speakers at the rally described Israel’s actions as an “ongoing genocide,” pointing out that since October 2023 nearly 100,000 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed. They condemned the targeting of homes, hospitals, schools, and refugee camps and warned that Gaza faces an imminent famine due to the collapse of its healthcare and sanitation systems.
The protesters reiterated demands earlier made in a joint statement by Muslim organisations and civil society groups. These include: an immediate ceasefire, opening of humanitarian corridors for food, water, and medical supplies, and a call for the Government of India to condemn Israel’s actions and suspend all military and strategic cooperation. They also urged New Delhi to endorse the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to support the UN General Assembly’s call for an independent Palestinian state.
Protesters appealed to India to uphold its long-standing tradition of supporting oppressed peoples and called on civil society to intensify awareness campaigns, peaceful solidarity programmes, and boycotts of Israeli products. A special appeal was also issued to Muslim-majority nations to pressure Israel and the United States to halt the bloodshed.
Among the prominent personalities who addressed the gathering were Syed Sadatullah Husaini, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind; Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind; Prof. Apoorvanand and Prof. V.K. Tripathi of Delhi University; Advocate Lara Jaising, Senior Lawyer, Bombay High Court; Nisha Siddu, General Secretary, NFIW; Mohammad Adeeb, former Rajya Sabha MP; Ziauddin Siddiqui, President, Wahdat-e-Islami; Raisuddin, National President, Welfare Party of India; Mufti Abdul Raziq of Jamiat-ul-Ulema, Delhi; Abdul Hafeez, President, Students Islamic Organisation of India; Shaikh Nizamuddin, Assistant General Secretary, All India Milli Council; and Malik Motasim Khan, Vice President, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.
The protest concluded with a strong assertion that silence in the face of genocide is unacceptable and that governments, institutions, and individuals must act in accordance with their moral and constitutional duties.
