Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – A right-wing leader described all those who support Palestine as “anti-nationals” and in a viral video is heard inciting a Hindu group to attack everyone (who supports Palestine) and kill them.
This came as members of Hindu right-wing outfits took to the streets with Israeli flags in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa on Thursday, threatening to attack and kill those who express solidarity with Palestine.
Addressing the gathering, Hindutva leader Ashok Paliwal alleged that the Palestinian flag was an actor for support for the “Hamas terrorist”, the Palestinian resistance group which is at war with Israel, reports reaching here said on Saturday.
He also incited people to attack and kill everyone who supports Palestine.
Hindutva groups hit the streets after members of the Shia community were seen waving Palestinian flags, during Muharram processions, on Wednesday. It allegedly triggered the “sentiments” of the Bajrang Dal and other Hindu right-wing groups.
The outfits lodged complaints with local authorities. However, police officials initially declined to file an FIR stating that “Palestine is a friendly state and it can’t be termed as a crime.” However, reports suggest that the officials gave in to the demands of the Hindutva outfits after protests on Thursday.
Subsequently, the chaos of the right-wing groups fueled by their extreme ideology compelled the police to arrest Muslim youths under section 197 BNS (previously IPC 153).
Several people have been arrested across the country for waving Palestine flags during Muharram processions. On July 10, one person was arrested after he waved the Palestinian flag in Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadohi district. A case has been registered against him.
On July 15, police arrested three persons for waving a Palestinian flag during a procession in Bihar’s Nawada district.
In Kashmir, some individuals waved Palestinian flags and raised anti-US and Israel slogans during a Muharram procession in Srinagar. Subsequently, Jammu and Kashmir police made several arrests in connection with the incidents.
