Hundreds gather at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday to condemn Israeli attacks on Gaza. Students and leftist leaders urge India to support Palestine and not side with Israel and America
NEW DELHI – Loud and incessant chants of ‘Palestine Zindabad’ reverberated at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Tuesday as hundreds of protesters gathered to speak out against the ongoing genocide in Gaza by Israeli forces.
The protest was led by students from Delhi University along with members of various leftist political parties. Banners and posters filled the area, showing strong support for Palestine and clear anger at the actions of Israel and the United States.
One of the banners read, “We appreciate the struggle of Palestinians against Israel.” Another said, “Long live our solidarity against the alliance of Zionism and imperialism.”
Many protesters also carried posters demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi desist from supporting the Jewish state and “separate from Israel.”
A student protester said, “We have gathered here to protest the continuous and uncontrolled genocide of the Palestinian people, which has been carried out for a long time by the imperialist alliance of Israel and the US. We stand with the struggle of the Palestinians.”
Leaders of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and other leftist groups raised questions about India’s foreign policy. They criticised the government for its close ties with the US and Israel.
A CPI leader said, “The Indian government is standing with the US and Israel instead of supporting Palestine, while the UN resolutions are in favour of the Palestinians. We have come here to express our solidarity with Palestine.”
The protest coincides with a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. More than 60,000 people have died in Gaza, and many others have lost their homes. Food and basic supplies are scarce, and thousands of people are now facing starvation.
Protesters urged the Indian government to take a clear stand and support the people of Palestine in their time of suffering.
One participant summed up the feeling of many, saying, “We are here to give a message to the world that we cannot remain silent when innocent people are being killed. Gaza needs justice.”
