The Periyar Followers Federation organized a large rally and public meeting in Chennai on Friday, protesting Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza. The demonstration garnered widespread participation from various political parties, social organizations, and Muslim groups throughout Tamil Nadu.
Among the notable figures present were Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, MLA Thaniyarasu, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader Jawahirullah MLA, May 17 Movement coordinator Thirumurugan Gandhi, and actors Sathyaraj and Prakash Raj, along with several other prominent leaders.
Actor Prakash Raj emphasized, “This is a gathering of everyone who speaks for humanity.” He addressed the skeptics of such protests by stating, “If speaking against injustice is politics, then yes, it is politics, and we will speak.” He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the United States for their inaction, saying, “Israel alone is not responsible. America is responsible. Modi’s silence is responsible too.”
He drew parallels between individual and national suffering, stating, “When a wound forms on our body, if I remain silent, it only worsens. Similarly, if a nation suffers a wound and we remain silent, that silence will wound the nation even more.” He further recited poems that conveyed the deep human cost of conflict, underscoring the notion that while wars may end, the emotional scars remain.
Actor Sathyaraj also condemned the attacks in Gaza, labeling them “unbearable” and a denial of common humanity. He questioned the morality of bombing civilians, stating, “They say man evolved from monkeys, but it seems the process stopped halfway; that is why such brutal thinking exists.” Sathyaraj called for international intervention, drawing comparisons to the Tamil struggle for liberation.
Filmmaker Vetri Maaran characterized the situation in Palestine as a “planned genocide,” pointing out the humanitarian crisis where one in five people face hunger, while one in five children die from malnutrition. He condemned the targeting of schools and hospitals and emphasized that it is a moral duty to stand against oppression.
VCK MP Thol. Thirumavalavan linked the protest to Periyarist politics, asserting solidarity with the oppressed. He denounced American imperialism and Israeli Zionism, explaining that Israel’s establishment was a colonial endeavor initiated by the British. He criticized the United States for labeling the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas as a terrorist organization, drawing parallels to similar actions against the LTTE in Sri Lanka.
Thirumavalavan also highlighted the UN’s slow response to recognizing the situation in Gaza as genocide while underscoring its failure to address past injustices, such as the Mullivaikkal massacre. He called on India to adopt a more supportive stance toward Palestine, recalling Tamil Nadu’s history of advocating for human rights.
Thirumurugan Gandhi stressed the importance of military intervention from other nations once genocide is declared by the UN, criticizing the silence surrounding the Palestinian plight. He insisted that Israel be recognized as a genocidal state and Palestine as an independent nation.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 65,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023, with the majority being women and children. The situation has displaced countless others and led to widespread famine, claiming the lives of at least 435 individuals, including 147 children.
Tags: Chennai rally, solidarity with Palestine, Gaza, protest, human rights
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