Activists advocating for Palestine were arrested in Rohtak, Haryana, on Sunday evening, with reports indicating they have been detained for over 15 hours without release. The youth organization, Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine (IPSP), reported that six activists, including women, were taken into custody. While the women were released later that evening, the men remained detained as of the latest updates.
The IPSP stated that during protests supporting Palestine and the Global Sumud Flotilla across various locations in India, the Rohtak activists faced violence from individuals associated with the Hindu nationalist group, referred to as “Sanghi goons.” An official statement from the organization condemned the actions, asserting, “Our comrades in Rohtak have been brutally beaten by Sanghi goons and illegally detained by the police for organizing a protest in solidarity with Palestine and the Global Sumud Flotilla.”
The protesters were taken to the Civil Lines Police Station, where they were reportedly subjected to forceful detainment. A video shared on social media captured moments of the protest, showing activists being heckled and subsequently detained by police. The IPSP claimed the protest remained peaceful until it was disrupted, alleging that police opted to apprehend their members rather than intervene against the attackers.
Furthermore, IPSP claimed that some activists suffered injuries during the altercation. There has been no official response from authorities regarding the arrests, prompting civil society members to voice concerns over the detention of the activists.
The protest was organized by BDS India in conjunction with IPSP, as part of a nationwide initiative that attracted large gatherings in cities such as Delhi and Pune in support of Palestine.
Members of both organizations emphasized their commitment to peaceful assembly, asserting that ongoing repression will not deter them from voicing support for Gaza and the West Bank. An IPSP member remarked, “We do peaceful protests and that is how we will continue to organize our protests. It is outrageous whatever is happening in Gaza and the West Bank, and we need to raise our voices for it.”
This incident underscores the continuing tensions surrounding protests related to Palestine in India.
Tags: Palestine solidarity, protesters arrested, Haryana Rohtak, police action, injured protesters
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