CPI(M) Demands Immediate Withdrawal of Cases Against Palestinians Flag Bearers

The CPI(M) urges the government to drop criminal charges against individuals for waving Palestinian flags during Muharram. The cases were filed under UAPA and BNS in BJP-led states. CPI(M) highlights the contradiction between BJP's support for Palestine and the filing of these cases.

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday called for the immediate withdrawal of criminal cases filed against individuals who waved Palestinian flags during Muharram processions. CPI(M) stated that cases have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand under stringent sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following complaints by BJP and VHP leaders.

"Most of these states where the cases were filed are governed by the BJP and its allies or are directly under central government administration. The BJP-led government claims to support the Palestinian State, but filing these cases reveals its true intention. It cannot tolerate Indian people's support for Palestine," the CPI (M) said.

Furthermore, CPI (M) demanded the withdrawal of the cases and the immediate release of all detained or arrested individuals. The party urged the central government to express solidarity with Palestine, insisting that Israel withdraw from all occupied territories and restore Palestine's statehood with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital. This is aligned with India's longstanding policy supporting a negotiated two-state solution for peaceful coexistence.

In addition, India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, while calling for restraint and de-escalation in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy, India maintains its stance for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.