Bengaluru activists expose police harassment of Palestine solidarity event organizes
Bengaluru: Prominent citizens, academics, and activists, united under the banner of Citizens for Justice and Peace, Bengaluru, have expressed serious concerns regarding the harassment and intimidation faced by individuals organizing events in solidarity with Palestine across various districts of Karnataka.
According to Kashmir Media Service, this issue was highlighted during a meeting with the Commissioner of Police in Bengaluru. Activists submitted a letter, backed by 194 signatures from concerned citizens—mainly from Bengaluru and other regions of Karnataka. Among the signatories are notable figures such as Arvind Narrain, President of PUCL – Karnataka, senior academic A.R. Vasavi, Aakar Patel, former head of Amnesty International, and activist Vidya Dinker. The letter outlines 12 incidents over the past year where police officials allegedly targeted activists, students, artists, and community members engaged in Palestine solidarity activities.
One alarming instance occurred just this Thursday, when Collective Bangalore, a student organization, shared a poster for a film screening and discussion about Palestine. Despite not disclosing the event’s location, police contacted the students, harassing them and demanding that they provide details or appear at the police station.
Activists from Bengaluru for Justice and Peace informed the Commissioner that harassment extends beyond organizers to include venue owners, who are pressured to cancel events related to Palestine. The letter also highlights that even when all necessary protocols for organizing protests are followed, officials have threatened participants with arrest for displaying the Palestinian flag.
The letter points to a troubling pattern of unwritten rules being enforced by police, particularly regarding activities connected to Palestine, whether held in public or private spaces and regardless of their promotion on social media.
Bengaluru for Justice and Peace has called for an immediate investigation into these incidents of harassment and the misuse of police authority. They are also demanding the withdrawal of FIRs filed against activists and citizens engaged in peaceful protest or solidarity actions.
