Sudden protest on Bengaluru's MG Road against 'brutalities' in Palestine

Hundreds gathered on MG Road in central Bengaluru on Monday to pledge their solidarity with Palestine as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in West Asia rages on. 

Police detained a few people, including Vinay Sreenivas of Bahutva Karnataka and Clifton D’Rozario from All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), who gathered near the Rangoli Metro Art Center next to the MG Road metro station between 4.45 pm and 5 pm. 

A police officer present at the spot said that no permission was granted for the protest, but refused to give details. 

However, police were caught unawares as hundreds began assembling on the other side of the stretch near Brigade Road around 5.30 pm. 

The crowd included hoards of young men and women, as well as elderly people, who gathered to oppose "the atrocities being committed by Israel on Palestine". 

Several of them held placards with the slogans "Stop the Genocide”, "Gaza, We Are With You,” among others. Some carried wooden flag poles, others carried Palestinian flag stickers.

"Israeli leaders, in the name of freedom, democracy, and secularism, are killing innocent people,” one of them said. “Our stand is very clear: we oppose the oppression of innocent Muslims and Christians for the last 75 years.” 

A man, in his 30s, said: “This is a symbolic protest. Going against the law of the land is not our aim. We want to highlight the atrocities being committed by Israel and the fake news spread by the mainstream media." 

A part of the crowd raised slogans before others talked them out of it, saying it was a “silent and symbolic” protest. 

"All we want is for the killing to stop on both sides,” a woman in her 20s said. 

Police called in additional help to manage the crowd and the traffic during the peak hour.  

Pro-Palestine supporters at a rally in Bengaluru's MG Road. 

Several people, who took part in the solidarity march, held placards with the slogans "Stop the Genocide”, "Gaza, We Are With You,” among others. 

Police called in additional help to manage the crowd and the traffic during the peak hour. 

A police officer who was at the spot said that no permission was granted before refusing to answer additional queries by DH. 

Aishwarya Ravikumar, general secretary of the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), said it was "unfortunate" that in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, protestors standing up for Palestine were being detained and reprimanded by police. 

"India has always stood with Palestine. In Bengaluru, we tried to bring people together who continue to stand in solidarity with Palestinians, no matter what people in power are trying to do," she stated. 

At least six protesters were detained and taken to the Ashoknagar police station before being released. Eleven other protesters were taken to the Cubbon Park police station and were released later. 

A key member of the team that organised the protest said police denied permission to hold a pro-Palestine demonstration on October 14 at Freedom Park, the only designated protest venue in Bengaluru. Police orally declined permission, saying protests would not be permitted on this issue (Palestine), the person said. 

DCP (West) S Girish was not immediately available for comment. 

At least six protesters were detained and taken to the Ashoknagar police station before being released near MG Road.