Hundreds of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, India, on Friday to denounce Israel’s continuing genocide on Gaza and to pressure the government to take a stand in support of Palestine.
The demonstration in India’s capital drew citizens from across Delhi and neighbouring states. Protesters included students, academics, lawyers, political leaders, faith leaders and civil society activists, cutting across religious and social backgrounds.
Organisers said the turnout sent a clear message that solidarity with Palestine is not confined to India’s Muslim population but is a shared moral concern for people of all communities who value peace and justice.
Speakers at the protest accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, citing the near-total destruction of homes, hospitals, schools and refugee camps since the beginning of the current war in October 2023.
Protesters also pointed to widespread starvation, the collapse of Gaza’s health system, and the risk of famine if Israel’s blockade is not lifted.
“Silence in the face of genocide is unacceptable,” one speaker told the crowd. “Every government, every institution and every individual has a moral responsibility to stand against this.”
A range of high-profile personalities addressed the gathering, including Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi, general secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind; Delhi University professor Apoorvanand; senior lawyer Lara Jaisingh; former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb; and Abdul Hafeez, president of the Students Islamic Organisation of India.
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The rally reiterated demands made earlier by Indian civil society groups in a joint statement on Palestine. Among them were:
• An immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
• Opening humanitarian corridors to allow the delivery of food, fuel, water and medical supplies.
• The Indian gov and world powers must halt all military cooperation with Israel.
• Endorsement of the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Recognition of Palestine as an independent sovereign state and an end to Israel’s illegal occupation.
• Awareness campaigns, boycotts of Israeli products, and peaceful solidarity activities across India.
Protestors also urged Muslim-majority countries to exert maximum pressure on Israel and the United States to stop the bloodshed.
Pressure on India
India historically championed the Palestinian cause during the Cold War but under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, ties with Israel have deepened, particularly in the areas of trade, agriculture and defence.
Israel is now one of India’s largest suppliers of military equipment. With the ruling Hindu supremacist Hindutva political ideology clearly taking inspiration from the extremist Jewish supremacism represented by Zionism.
Civil society groups in India argue that this policy represents a betrayal of the country’s long-standing tradition of supporting oppressed peoples. They have called on New Delhi to return to its earlier position of principled solidarity with the Palestinians.
“The government cannot remain neutral in the face of genocide,” said Syed Sadatullah Husaini, president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. “India must stand with the oppressed and cut all military and strategic ties with Israel.”
The New Delhi protest comes amid a wave of global demonstrations calling for an end to the war in Gaza.
In Britain, hundreds of thousands have marched through London over the past year demanding a ceasefire and an arms embargo on Israel.
Campaigners say the international outcry reflects a growing recognition that Israel’s assault on Gaza constitutes a crime against humanity. Rights groups and UN agencies have repeatedly warned of collective punishment, unlawful killings and forced starvation.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed 62,263 Palestinians and injured 157,365 since October 7, 2023, Gaza’s health ministry has claimed. While the UN has declared Gaza in a state of famine on 22 August.
The total number of Palestinian aid seekers killed since May 27, when Israel introduced a new aid distribution mechanism through the U.S.-based GHF, has reached 2,060, with more than 15,197 injured, a statement said.
