India detains pro-Palestine activists after right-wing assault on peaceful rally
Police hold activists for over 15 hours after Hindutva mob attack on pro-Palestine protest in the state of Haryana, deepening fears over shrinking space for dissent
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Police in northern India detained several pro-Palestine activists after a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Gaza was disrupted by Hindu right-wing groups in the city of Rohtak, highlighting growing intolerance toward dissenting voices in the country.
According to Clarion India, members of the Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine (IPSP) were attacked by a mob described by witnesses as Hindu nationalist supporters while they were holding a public vigil on Sunday evening.
Videos from the scene show protesters chanting “Free Palestine” and “Stop the genocide in Gaza” before being surrounded, manhandled, and dragged away by police officers.
The IPSP said at least six of its members were detained at the Civil Lines Police Station, where they were allegedly denied access to lawyers for hours. While women participants were later released, male activists remained in custody overnight. “Our colleagues were beaten and then detained without any legal justification,” said Anam Fatima, a spokesperson for the group.
Witnesses claimed that police stood by as right-wing agitators assaulted demonstrators and tore banners. “Instead of protecting those who were peacefully protesting, authorities detained them under the pretext of maintaining order,” said rights advocate Mohammed Faisal of BDS India, which co-organized the nationwide campaign.
The protests in Rohtak were part of a broader India-wide solidarity movement launched by IPSP and BDS India to draw attention to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza.
Similar marches have been held in Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune, calling for an end to civilian casualties and urging India to uphold its historic support for Palestinian self-determination.
Rights advocates warn that the treatment of Muslim and pro-Palestine voices in India reflects a wider pattern of state suppression under the current political climate. “Peaceful protest is the cornerstone of democracy,” said human rights lawyer Imran Ansari. “When those who speak for justice are targeted instead of protected, it weakens the moral foundation of governance.”
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu supremacist government, India has drifted away from its once vocal solidarity with Palestine. While New Delhi maintains formal neutrality in diplomatic forums, the ruling party’s ideological base and right-wing media ecosystem have openly celebrated Zionism and vilified domestic voices supporting Palestinian rights—creating a hostile environment for dissent.
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