Police detain 3, raid activist’s home in Mumbai, over kites flown in solidarity with Gaza children

Mumbai: Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine (IPSP) said in a statement that Mumbai Police allegedly detained three pro-Palestine activists and searched the residence of a woman volunteer without a warrant following their participation in a kite-flying campaign held in solidarity with Palestinian children.

According to IPSP, the activists had recently taken part in the Global Gaza Kite Weekend, an international campaign organised to express solidarity with children in Gaza, Maktoob Media reported.

The group alleged that plainclothes personnel identifying themselves as police officers entered the residence of IPSP volunteer Harshada, intimidated her and detained her against her will.

Uniformed police personnel later arrived at the house and conducted a search without showing a warrant, written notice or any other authorisation, IPSP claimed. The group also alleged that police seized some of Harshada’s belongings during the search.

Two other volunteers who had participated in the Gaza kite-flying campaign were also detained and questioned by Mumbai Police, according to the organisation.

In an update issued at 2.15 a.m., IPSP said police personnel had remained at Harshada’s residence for more than nine hours after the search began. The group questioned the prolonged search, saying it was being carried out without a warrant over an activity intended to express solidarity with Palestinian children.

IPSP said that the alleged police action was an attack on democratic freedoms and civil liberties and that it violated Harshada’s right to privacy.

The organisation also alleged that the action reflected a wider attempt to intimidate people expressing solidarity with Palestinians. It questioned whether authorities viewed even a symbolic act such as flying kites in support of children in Gaza as a threat.

IPSP further accused the BJP-led Union government of maintaining double standards on the Palestine issue. It contrasted India's stated support for Palestinian freedom at the BRICS summit with what it described as repeated action against pro-Palestine activists in the country.

The group alleged that such incidents indicated closer alignment between the Indian government and Israel and the United States despite India's public expressions of humanitarian concern for Palestinians.

IPSP said the alleged intimidation would instead strengthen solidarity among activists and vowed to continue its campaign. It called for action against Mumbai Police personnel over what it described as unlawful conduct and appealed to citizens and journalists to pressure the police to end what the organisation termed a campaign of harassment against those expressing solidarity with Palestine.