This afternoon, around 100 people gathered in Delhi’s busy Nehru Place for a peaceful protest in solidarity with Palestine. Organised by a collective of students, artists, academics, and activists, the demonstration aimed to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and denounce what they called Israel’s “genocidal war.”
Protestors carried Palestinian flags and placards reading “Free Palestine,” “Stop the Genocide,” and “Ceasefire Now.” They handed out leaflets and stickers to passersby, hoping to spark conversation about the suffering in Gaza, where over 50,000 civilians have reportedly been killed in the last two years.
The demonstrators also criticised the Indian government for its silence and complicity. “Instead of speaking up for human rights, the government has deepened defence ties with Israel and even sent Indian workers to replace Palestinians,” said one protestor. They noted that India has abstained multiple times from UN resolutions condemning Israel’s actions.
Despite being entirely peaceful, the protest was met with hostility. A large crowd quickly formed, questioning the motives of the demonstrators. Some shouted, “Why don’t you raise the Indian flag too?” One protestor did raise it, hoping to ease tensions—but it was torn away. The crowd began chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Jai Shri Ram.” Soon after, the situation worsened.
“People threw water and mud at us from balconies,” said a participant. “They started shouting ‘Israel Zindabad, Palestine Murdabad.’ A Muslim colleague was cornered, and some men aggressively surrounded a woman protestor. It got ugly fast.”
Though police eventually arrived, they asked protestors for permission documents instead of acting against the mob. No one from the crowd faced consequences for harassment or threats. “It’s clear whose side the police are on,” said another demonstrator. “Peaceful dissent is treated like a crime, while hate gets a free pass.”
The choice of Nehru Place as a protest site was deliberate—a symbol of reclaiming public space in a city where protests are increasingly policed or banned. Despite the aggression, protestors stood firm. “We came here to say clearly that many Indians still stand with Palestine—and we won’t be silenced,” one organiser said.
