India

Pro-Palestine Activists Manhandled for Demonstration outside Domino’s in Pune

Protesters allege the mob was led by a local BJP leader.

Credit : Indie Journal

 

Aditi Singh | A protest in solidarity with Palestine was violently disrupted on May 10 in Pune’s Karve Nagar area, when a mob allegedly affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assaulted demonstrators. The protest, organised by members of Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine (IPSP) and BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) India, was part of a global campaign calling for the boycott of companies complicit in Israel’s actions in Gaza. Protests were held at all major cities across India.

The demonstrators had gathered outside a Domino’s outlet, citing the presence of its franchises in occupied Palestinian territories. “We were handing out pamphlets and speaking to people about why we support the boycott movement,” said a member of the group. The protest, involving around eight to 10 people, began peacefully.

The situation escalated shortly after. According to one of the protesters, a group of individuals began confronting them by challenging their slogans and intent. “Initially, they started to debate with us,” said Swapnaja, a protester and coordinator of BDS in India (Pune). “But within minutes, more and more people started joining them. A mob of around 50 to 100 people gathered, led by local BJP leaders Mahesh Pavale and Sagar Dhame, and began physically assaulting us,” she alleged. Indie Journal could not independently verify the allegation pertaining to the identity of the mob.

 

 

Demonstrators allege that the assailants used cricket bats and stones during the assault. Women protesters were reportedly subjected to targeted violence, including sexual threats. “Some of us were physically assaulted, our clothes were torn, and we were threatened with rape and murder,” the protester added.

The police arrived at the scene but, according to those present, failed to intervene effectively. Four protestors were detained, while members of the attacking group were reportedly allowed to disperse without consequence. “At Karve Nagar Police Chowki, they recorded our statement but refused to give us any acknowledgement,” Swapnaja said.

Efforts to lodge a formal complaint were met with resistance. “We were told no FIR would be registered, they were simply trying to protect BJP politicians. When we repeatedly insisted on getting medical examinations done, the police dropped us at the hospital and left. We had to get our Medico-Legal Case (MLC) done on our own,” the protester said.

 

 

“When we returned to the police chowki with our MLC, only one police officer was present, while a few members of the earlier mob stood nearby,” she said. “We feared for our safety and left.”

The next day, on May 11, the protesters went to Warje Malwadi Police Station to submit their MLC and file an FIR.

According to the group, police refused to file an FIR against the assailants. “First they claimed our original complaint was lost, and when we submitted a new one, they refused to accept it because it named the accused and only gave us acknowledgement on the old complaint,” Swapnaja added.

When contacted, the police officer at Warje Police Station, who attended the call seemed clueless about the whole case. However, she said that a probe was underway, but the assailants have not yet been nabbed.

 

 

Meanwhile, posts circulated on social media alleged that the protestors had raised pro-Pakistan and pro-Hamas slogans. The group has strongly denied the claims. “We categorically reject the false narrative that we raised any such slogans,” said the protester. “There is no evidence to support this claim. These are baseless attempts to delegitimise our movement. One can show solidarity for Palestine without sympathising with Hamas. Our support for the Palestinian cause is rooted in justice and human rights,” she added.

Despite the violence and lack of legal action, the protesters have pledged to continue their campaign against corporations profiting from the occupation of Palestine.

 

More from Author