Bengaluru stands with palestine at mg road protest

17 OCT, 2023

Ayaan Paul Chowdhury

Photo: Getty Images

Palestiniana in Gaza have witnessed unprecedented levels of violence over the last week as a result of Israeli retaliation to Hamas's attacks.

gaza is burning

Video: Twitter/iam_shimorekato

More than a thousand supporters gathered in Bengaluru to show solidarity with the Palestinian people during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

bengaluru protests

Video: Twitter/prajwalmanipal

The event featured a human chain and a candlelight march held at the center of the city.

solidarity with palestine

Photo: Getty Images

Organized by civil society groups like Bahutva Karnataka and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, the event aimed to condemn what they labeled as "genocide" by Israeli forces.

condeming genocide

Photo: Getty Images

The gathering initially planned to convene at the Rangoli Metro Art Centre but faced permission denials.

relocation

Photo: Getty Images

Protests outside of Freedom Park had been prohibited in Bengaluru following the passage of the Licensing and Regulation of Protests Demonstrations and Protest Marches  Order in 2022.

protest officiation

Photo: Getty Images

Nonetheless, by 6 pm, a substantial number of Palestine supporters assembled near the MG Road metro station, beginning a candlelight march toward Anil Kumble Circle.

march on mg road

Photo: Getty Images

The police, outnumbered by protesters, allowed the solidarity march to proceed, despite the lack of official permission.

police overwhelmed

Photo: Getty Images

The diverse crowd included people of various age groups, and many participants held placards with slogans like "Stop the Genocide" and "Gaza, We Are With You."

placards hoisted

Photo: Getty Images

Some demonstrators carried wooden flagpoles, while others displayed Palestinian flag stickers.

palestinian pride

Photo: Getty Images

Around 30 activists were detained by the police at Cubbon Park and Ashok Nagar police stations, while others were asked to disperse and not form a human chain in front of the metro station.

protesters detained