Team Clarion
MUMBAI – The organisers and participants of a protest rally against Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon in the Govandi suburb of the country’s financial capital on Wednesday evening have been issued police notices. The notices were issued by Shivaji Nagar police and cops are on the lookout for the protestors in the area.
The rally aimed to voice concerns over the significant loss of life and property in Palestine and Lebanon due to Israeli bombings, particularly targeting places of worship and civilian areas. Prominent figures leading the protest included Syed Babu, Advocate Ibrahim Sheikh, also known as Ladley, Meraj Ansari, Javed Ahmed, and Muhammad Irfan Muhammad Aslam, who were joined by a large number of participants.
In response to the police action, Advocate Sheikh expressed his determination to stand firm against perceived injustices. “As soon as I learned about the police action, I left my area to avoid them and to review the provisions outlined in the notice. If necessary, we will seek anticipatory bail from the court,” he said.
Describing Israel as “a tyrant and a murderer,” he asserted that its attacks indiscriminately kill innocent people, including children. “Places of worship and hospitals are not safe from its aggression,” he added, urging responsible citizens to raise their voices against oppression. Sheikh emphasised that freedom of expression and the right to protest are enshrined in the constitution and must not be infringed upon.
Babu Rao Deshmukh, Senior Inspector at the Shivaji Nagar Police Station, stated that the rally was conducted without proper permission, leading to legal action. “So far, eight people have received notices, and 25 more will be summoned,” he confirmed. The police have identified participants through video footage of the rally, though Deshmukh clarified that no arrests have been made.
As the situation unfolds, the protesters maintain that their demonstration was a peaceful exercise of their democratic rights. “We have protested peacefully using our democratic right,” they said standing firm in their conviction to voice opposition to what they see as systemic oppression.
