Civil society condemns Telangana police action against pro-Palestine youth
Hyderabad: Civil society members, activists, and citizens in Telangana on Saturday strongly criticised recent police actions against pro-Palestine protests in Hyderabad and Adilabad. They described the move as an attempt to suppress peaceful dissent.
In a joint appeal addressed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, the signatories demanded immediate withdrawal of FIRs filed against the protestors. They highlighted the incident on October 7, when students at the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) held a peaceful protest supporting Palestine. Despite the protest being non-violent, police booked the students under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This happened even though disruptions were allegedly caused by a right-wing student group.
Police complaints raise serious concerns
In another case from Adilabad, Mavala police detained six young social workers including four minors for chanting slogans such as “Palestine Zindabad” and “Boycott Zudio.” Activists reported that the detainees faced verbal abuse and mistreatment while in custody.
In both instances, police personnel—not civilians or university authorities—filed the complaints. This, according to the signatories, raises concerns about institutional bias and misuse of police authority.
They pointed out that these actions contradict the Congress party’s own public stance on Palestine. Senior leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi have all spoken in support of the Palestinian people.
Call for intervention and accountability
The signatories urged Rahul Gandhi to intervene and asked CM Revanth Reddy to take immediate corrective steps. These include:
- Withdrawing all FIRs against pro-Palestine demonstrators
- Ordering an inquiry into the Mavala police’s actions and taking appropriate disciplinary measures
“Standing with Palestine against injustice is a democratic right,” the statement read. “Police intimidation undermines India’s constitutional values and civic freedoms.”
Broad backing from civil society leaders
The appeal received support from several prominent citizens. Signatories include S.Q. Masood, Dr. Jasveen Jairath, Sagar Dhara, Kiran Kumar Vissa, Khalida Parveen, Veena Shatrugna, Mohd Azharuddin (JIH Telangana), S. Deepti, and Mohd Faraz Ahmed (SIO), among others from academic, journalistic, and activist circles.