Indian police jump into action over Palestinian flag at rally
Rights groups say action against municipal candidate reflects growing pressure on pro-Palestine expression during elections
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Police in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, have issued a legal notice to a municipal election candidate after a Palestinian flag appeared on a bag carried by one of her campaign workers, prompting concerns among civil liberties advocates about restrictions on political expression.
Mumbai Police served the notice on Pradnya Prabhulkar, a candidate of the Revolutionary Workers Party of India, following a campaign rally held earlier this month in the Govandi area of the city.
Prabhulkar said the action stemmed from a rally in which a woman accompanying her was carrying a bag featuring artwork of the Palestinian flag — an item she routinely uses. Police later described the display as “illegal” and warned it could disturb public order, despite the event proceeding without incident.
She said officers photographed the rally and initially told campaign workers the images were being taken for routine documentation. After the event concluded, she was asked to report to the local police station, where she was served a notice under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, a provision that allows police to issue preventive warnings.
Police officials reportedly told Prabhulkar that while the rally itself had been peaceful, the presence of the Palestinian flag could lead to unrest, and warned that further action would follow if a similar display occurred again.
The notice has drawn criticism from rights advocates and pro-Palestinian activists, who view the move as part of a broader pattern of policing political expression related to Palestine in India. Several activists questioned how the display of a flag associated with an international political cause could be construed as a threat to public peace.
Some campaigners contrasted the police response with what they described as a lack of action against inflammatory speeches by ruling party politicians in the same area, arguing that enforcement appeared selective. Others alleged that political and diplomatic considerations, including municipal cooperation with Israel-linked entities, may be shaping policing decisions.
Legal observers note that Indian law does not explicitly prohibit the display of the Palestinian flag, and that election campaigning routinely involves political messaging on domestic and international issues. Police have not publicly clarified the legal basis for treating the display as unlawful.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
