Indian man arrested for Facebook appeal for Palestinian flag | New Israel-Palestine Conflict

Police in northern Uttar Pradesh, India, have arrested a Muslim man in a statement of solidarity against the Israeli attack on Gaza to put Palestinian flags on homes and vehicles on social media.

Sudamir Kumar Singh, the superintendent of police in Azamgarh district, told Al Jazeera that the man, identified as Yasir Akhtar, had been arrested after posting a message on his Facebook page calling on his Saraimeer village residents to show the flag after Friday congregation prayers. .

“He was directing a page and turning the message into a virus through Facebook, after Friday prayers that people should put flags on their vehicles and homes,” Singh said, adding that “the man was arrested and sent to prison.

“It’s a crowded area and many Muslim sects live here. Praying for a massive appeal could lead to violence. If he wanted to put up a flag, he could have it but it’s not right to call others. Many people opposed it, so we had to take action. “.

In 11 days, more than 230 Palestinians, including at least 60 children, were killed on the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces continuously bombed Hamas properties and residential buildings in the besieged and impoverished territory.

At least 12 Israelis were also killed by Hamas, the group that governs Zinta, after firing thousands of rockets.

Israel’s military campaign sparked massive protests of solidarity around the world, and protesters called for measures against Israel for violating international law and imposing sanctions.

Early Friday, the Israeli cabinet and Hamas he agreed to a ceasefire, Egypt as a mediator, to stop the 11-day conflict.

India’s “balancing act”

Although many people in India have expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, New Delhi was seen “balancing” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the opening session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the eve of the Gaza bombing. on Sunday.

At the session, India, a non-permanent member of the UNSC, reaffirmed “strong support for the just cause of the Palestinians and a strong commitment to a two-state solution.”

TS Tirumurti, a permanent representative of the UN in India, condemned the Gaza rocket attacks, but made no direct reference to Israel’s disproportionate bombing of the territory.

“Since India’s policy in the first four decades around the world’s longest-running conflict has been unquestionably pro-Palestinian, it has become a tense act of balance with three decades of friendly relations with Israel,” Nirupama Subramanian told Indian Express on Thursday.

“In recent years, India’s stance has also been perceived as pro-Israel.”

In fact, it doesn’t look like India’s “balance” went very well with Israel. In a tweet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has a good relationship with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, thanked 25 countries for being with Israel, but made no reference to India.

This is despite the fact that many right-wing parliamentarians and supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) support for Israel and a military campaign against the Palestinians.

Uttar Pradesh – India’s most populous state with a population of almost 220 million, almost a fifth of which is Muslim – is run by the BJP.

‘Seeing Palestine as a crime’

Yasir’s brother Muhammad Shadabe told Al Jazeera that his brother had copied the solidarity message on his Facebook page.

“In a second post he corrected himself that he was not meant for the people of India, but that he copied (the message) … Gaza itself was asked to put up flags,” he said.

“But if Muslims are suffering somewhere, I think it’s not wrong to help them and speak out against injustice.”

Shadabe said the family has three three-year-old children and that Yasir will run Azamgarh’s shoe business to try to secure the guarantee.

Talam Ahmad Rashadi Azamgarh-based lawyer told Al Jazeera that “the allegations are not very serious and could save you.”

“Even though what he did is not illegal, you are in Uttar Pradesh,” he said, saying the charges are “political”.

“Palestine is a friendly nation to India and we have officially sided with the Palestinian cause. This case will not stop anywhere in the court. “

Last week, Kashmiri police in the Indian administration arrested 20 people for holding a pro-Palestinian protest in the main city of Srinagar.

A painting by a Kashmiri artist in Srinagar was removed by police [Courtesy: Mudasir Gul’s family]

Among those arrested was artist Mudasir Gul he has drawn a graffiti Saying “We are Palestine” in bold, white letters at the gates of a Jhelum river drain. The graffiti showed the weeping face of a woman, her head strewn with the Palestinian flag.

Seventeen of them were released within three days, with a warning not to protest in the future.

Activists say the BJP is revealing its “double standard” by arresting people for supporting people employed in Palestine.

“Today, India is ruled by the right-wing party. India has an official stance in favor of Palestine, but many right-wing leaders and their followers are in favor of Israel, which shows its double standard, ”Muhammad Asif Khan told Al Jazeera.

“People on the right are angry when Indian Muslims show support for Palestine. The atmosphere is hostile to Muslims. ”

Khan said Indian Palestinian supporters are being described as “supporters of terrorism.”

“When they (BJP) accept Israel themselves, no one calls them. Anyone concerned with human rights is on the side of Palestine. But it is seen as a crime in India. “