Indian Activists Brave Repression to Champion Palestine, Launching BDS Movement Against Israeli Ties

 

A new video sheds light on the courageous efforts of Indian activists who are actively protesting against Israel's actions in Palestine and advocating for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. These individuals, part of the Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine (IPSP) group, have taken to the streets to raise awareness and challenge what they describe as a "genocidal state," facing significant backlash, including police brutality and public indifference.

Motivations and the Call for Justice:

The activists assert that the issue of Palestine is not merely a religious one but a matter of humanity and justice. They argue that Israel is a "genocidal state" and a "settler colony" acting as a "military outpost" for Western imperialist forces in the Middle East. They draw inspiration from figures like Bhagat Singh, believing it is their duty as "living people" to speak out against injustice, hunger, and enslavement anywhere in the world.

The group, which formally began its campaigns and seminars around 2014-2015 and intensified its activities significantly after October 2023, believes that India's historical stance, which supported Palestine's liberation (including voting against Israel in the UN in 1947), should be restored. They demand that the Indian government terminate all economic and cultural relations with Israel and even call for the Israeli Embassy to be removed from the country.

On the Frontlines: Protests and Police Repression:

The IPSP has organized various protests, notably outside the Israeli Embassy in Delhi, where they reportedly burned the Israeli flag and raised slogans against Israel. They also conducted a prominent protest inside a McDonald's outlet, informing customers about the alleged genocide in Palestine, an event that garnered international coverage, including from Al Jazeera.

These peaceful protests have been met with severe repression from the Delhi Police. Activists describe encountering barricades and detention even before reaching protest sites like Jantar Mantar. During demonstrations, police reportedly tore up posters containing their messages, physically assaulted protestors (pushing, kicking, beating with sticks), and confiscated cameras and memory cards to prevent documentation of the brutality. One incident involved a visually impaired activist, Raouf, who was detained and dragged, with police questioning why he would participate if he couldn't see.

Detention experiences were described as "inhuman," with activists held for extended periods, denied food and medicine, and subjected to verbal abuse. Police repeatedly told them, "This is not your issue, it's Muslims'," and accused them of "eating here, singing there" (implying disloyalty to India). False charges were also reportedly filed, including violation of Section 144 (which they claim is illegally extended by Delhi Police more than 6,000 times a year), interfering with government servants' work, and even criminal attack.

The BDS Movement and Its Targets in India:

The activists are integral to the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, which seeks to boycott companies trading with Israel, divest from Israeli companies, and sanction Israel. They actively educate people on the streets about the "crimes" committed by Israel, including starvation and killing of children.

In India, they highlight several major corporations for their alleged complicity:

• McDonald's: Accused of serving meals to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and justifying the occupation. Globally, protests have led to the closure of several McDonald's outlets, which activists view as a BDS victory.
• Reliance: The conglomerate is alleged to have direct ties and provide aid to the IDF. Reliance also reportedly collaborated with the Israeli textile industry company Delta Galil in September 2024, even after the genocide began, indicating a disregard for the source of their profits. Furthermore, the Reliance-funded think tank ORF (Observer Research Foundation) is accused of justifying the Israeli occupation.
• Tata: Tata companies reportedly have tie-ups with Israeli aerospace companies, supplying missiles and providing logistics and surveillance for the IDF.
• Wipro (Azim Premji Foundation): Wipro has research tie-ups with Tel Aviv University, which activists claim is preparing a generation that justifies the Zionist ideological project and genocide.

Activists claim that the BDS movement has already inflicted significant damage on the Israeli economy, which they suggest relies heavily on US aid.

Challenging Public Perception and Government Narrative:

The activists acknowledge the uphill battle they face against a largely "brainwashed" Indian populace that often supports Israel and dismisses the Palestinian issue as a "Muslim problem" or irrelevant to India's own challenges. They argue that the Modi government actively uses religious division to distract from core issues like unemployment and inflation, portraying Muslims as responsible for societal problems. The government and media are also accused of distorting history, even removing Palestine's history and name from Delhi University textbooks.

They point out the hypocrisy of equating the conflict to a religious issue, noting that Christians and Jews have historically coexisted in Palestine, and that Jewish organizations like Jews for Peace actively protest against Israel's actions. They draw a parallel between the fascist project in India and the Zionist project in Israel, both of which they describe as promoting racial superiority and using a "divide and rule" strategy to silence dissent and hide systemic failures.

Funding and Future Endeavors:

The IPSP operates without any government, NGO, or institutional funding, which they fundamentally oppose. They rely solely on individual contributions to finance their campaigns, including printing pamphlets, stickers, organizing protests, and covering legal expenses for cases filed against them in cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai.

The group aims to expand its reach beyond Delhi, with campaigns active in states like Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana, and new initiatives starting in Kolkata. They also organize discussion circles and film screenings to educate people about the history and current scenario in Palestine. They appeal for volunteers and spaces for these events, recognizing the need for broader participation to bring about significant change.

In conclusion, the video highlights the unwavering commitment of these Indian activists, who, despite facing severe state repression and a challenging public narrative, continue to push for justice for Palestine, believing it to be a fundamental human cause that transcends national borders and religious divides.