A Palestine Solidarity Protest organised by the Fraternity Movement (DU) and several student organisations at Delhi University was violently disrupted on Thursday after a group of nationalist mobs allegedly attacked protesters before the event could begin.
According to the Fraternity Movement, the mob objected to the raising of the Palestinian flag and began chanting Islamophobic slogans to intimidate students. “Even before the protest could begin, a group of jingoistic nationalist mobs attacked the peaceful gathering,” the group said in a statement. “They objected to the Palestinian flag and began chanting hate slogans.”
The situation soon turned violent. Protesters said female participants were manhandled, and stones were thrown at the crowd, leaving several injured. “Instead of ensuring the safety of the protesters, the Delhi Police used force against the students, including female participants, without the presence of female officers,” the Fraternity Movement alleged. “Protesters were dragged and beaten, and many have been unjustly detained.”
The group said the incident reflects “the deep intolerance and Islamophobia thriving within the institutions of this country,” adding, “Our voices will not be silenced. We stand firm with the Palestinian resistance and with every student who dares to speak truth to power.”
The Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) of Delhi University also condemned the violence and detentions, accusing both Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members and the Delhi Police of launching an unprovoked attack.
“A joint protest was scheduled to begin from the Arts Faculty to show solidarity with the people of Palestine,” the SIO said. “Before the march could start, ABVP activists, accompanied by the Delhi Police, attacked the students near Mother Dairy, raising hate slogans such as ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and other provocative chants.”
SIO added that several students were physically assaulted and at least eight were detained before the march could proceed. “Instead of ensuring safety and order, the police sided with the attackers, targeting peaceful demonstrators and suppressing their right to dissent,” the group said.
Calling the incident a “serious assault on democratic values and campus freedom,” SIO DU demanded the immediate release of all detained students and accountability from those responsible.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to stand with the oppressed people of Palestine and to defend “the democratic right to protest within university spaces.”
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com.
