In a poignant reflection marking Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, Sunita Viswanath, Executive Director of Hindus for Human Rights, has shared her experience of visiting the war-torn Gaza in Palestine. While invoking the significance of Lord Krishna’s birth, who is revered in Hinduism as a symbol of righteousness and divine guidance, Sunita navigates the devastated state of Gaza, which has been severely affected by Israeli bombardments.
She reminds us of the birth of Krishna in a prison in Mathura and his miraculous escape to safety across the Yamuna River to Gokul as a story of hope and liberation, while asserting the description by the United Nations and Human Rights Watch of Gaza as the “world’s largest open-air prison,” which has been under Israeli siege for nearly two decades, hoping for a miraculous escape for the thousands of Palestinian children from the plight ruthlessly inflicted on them by Israel. them.
This blockade has severely restricted the movement of Gazans, denying them access to adequate food, water, and medical supplies. The situation has deteriorated further following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 251 others.
In response, Israel launched a brutal bombing campaign that has led to significant deaths and widespread destruction. The International Court of Justice has characterised this campaign as "plausibly" genocidal, highlighting the risk of "irreparable prejudice" to the rights of Gazans under the Genocide Convention.
Reports say that around 40,000 Gazans have been killed since the conflict started, with a third of the casualties being children. The devastation includes bombings of schools, hospitals, and refugee centres, leading to severe malnutrition and disease outbreaks among children.
Sunita also invokes the Bhagavad Gita, the Hindu scripture where Krishna imparts lessons on righteous action and compassion, to compare the present situation in Gaza. While the Gita emphasizes the importance of striving for the wellbeing of all, seeing the joys and sorrows of others as one’s own, and acting according to one’s own dharma, Sunita highlights the incongruity of India’s stance.
India, the land of the Gita, which is meant to stand with the oppressed, is instead seen as supporting the oppressors, with Indian-made bombs and drones reportedly being used by Israel in Gaza against its children.
The international community's silence and the collaboration of various actors, including India, in this crisis are points of grave concern.
The Mahabharata, another sacred text associated with Krishna, advocates ethical conduct in warfare, including the protection of civilians and the provision of medical assistance to the wounded. Sunita contrasts these principles with the current conduct of the Israeli military, which has been criticized for failing to adhere to such rules, often bombing civilian areas with little to no warning.
As Hindus celebrate Janmashtami, Viswanath urges individuals to reflect on the teachings of Krishna and to act with righteousness and compassion. The current situation in Gaza, with its severe humanitarian consequences, calls for a moral response from people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Sunita’s message is a call to action, urging individuals to speak out against injustice and support efforts to end the suffering in Gaza. The crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by ongoing conflict and blockade, demands a unified response grounded in the principles of justice and humanitarianism.