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.
Video: Twitter/iam_shimorekato
More than a thousand supporters gathered in Bengaluru to show solidarity with the Palestinian people during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Video: Twitter/prajwalmanipal
The event featured a human chain and a candlelight march held at the center of the city.
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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.
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The gathering initially planned to convene at the Rangoli Metro Art Centre but faced permission denials.
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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.
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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.
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The police, outnumbered by protesters, allowed the solidarity march to proceed, despite the lack of official permission.
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."
Photo: Getty Images
Some demonstrators carried wooden flagpoles, while others displayed Palestinian flag stickers.
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.