In Kochi, Kerala, a protest titled ‘Names of Gaza’ was held on Thursday, organized by the Chinta Ravi Foundation and the Palestine Solidarity Forum. The event aimed to raise awareness about the plight of Palestinian children killed in the ongoing conflict, bringing together writers, activists, students, and figures from the Malayalam film industry to recite their names.
The demonstration took place at Vanchi Square and attracted notable personalities including actors Jyothirmayi, Nikhila Vimal, Divya Prabha, Irshad, Lali PM, Pooja Mohanraj, filmmaker Aashiq Abu, and singers Sitara Krishnakumar and Resmi Sateesh. They joined others on stage to voice their solidarity with Palestine.
The evening featured performances of dabke, a traditional Palestinian folk dance, with participants holding placards that called for “Peace for Palestine” and “Long Live Gaza.”
Speaking via video link, Palestinian Ambassador to India Abdullah Abu Shawesh emphasized the personal toll of the conflict: “The real question is, how many relatives have you lost? Dozens of my relatives have been slaughtered by Israeli genocidal warfare.” He recited the names of his family members, urging the audience to remember each child not merely as a statistic but as an individual life lost.
Prominent figures such as journalist Sashi Kumar, art curator Bose Krishnamachari, and educationist Mohan B. Menon also participated, sharing their reflections on their connections to Palestine.
Writer N.S. Madhavan, who conceptualized the event, remarked, “One of the gravest injustices in human history is unfolding in Gaza. Every name is a testimony.”
The organizers announced plans to continue the recitations across districts in Kerala, vowing to ensure that the names of all 18,000 children will be publicly acknowledged, from Kochi to Wayanad.
Tags: Kochi, Palestine solidarity, Jyothirmayi, Nikhila Vimal, children killed
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