Arrest over hoisting Palestinian flag at UP school sparks debate on India’s double standards
New Delhi: The arrest of a man in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri for hoisting a Palestinian flag at a government school has sparked widespread criticism over India’s selective crackdown on pro-Palestinian expressions while allowing pro-Israel demonstrations to go unchecked.
According to Kashmir Media Service, police claimed the accused, Saddam, replaced the Indian flag at the Upper Primary School in Lakhha village with a Palestinian flag in solidarity with Gaza. He was arrested following a complaint, while a search is underway for others allegedly involved. Superintendent of Police Sankalp Sharma termed the act a “serious crime.”
Legal experts, however, stressed that flying foreign flags is not a crime under Indian law unless the national flag is disrespected. Advocate Farhan Qureshi said the arrests send a “worrying signal to democratic freedoms.”
The move comes even as Hindutva groups openly waved Israeli flags, burnt Palestinian flags, and held pro-Israel rallies without facing action. Critics say this stark double standard exposes political bias in law enforcement.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also slammed the government, saying peaceful solidarity with Palestine is being criminalised.
Locals in Lakhha village expressed fear over the police crackdown, saying their peaceful gesture for Gaza victims has been treated as a crime.
