Hindutva Leader’s Incitement to Violence Against Palestine Supporters in India

In a disturbing development, Hindutva leader Ashok Paliwal has urged Hindu groups to attack and kill those who support Palestine. In a viral video, Paliwal is heard describing supporters of Palestine as “anti-nationals” and inciting violence against them. This inflammatory rhetoric has raised serious concerns about communal harmony in India.

The call for violence came as members of Hindu right-wing outfits, including Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Shiv Sena, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), took to the streets of Khandwa city in Madhya Pradesh. They brandished Israeli flags and threatened to attack anyone expressing solidarity with Palestine. This aggressive display followed Muharram processions where members of the Shia Muslim community were seen waving Palestinian flags.

During the gathering, Paliwal alleged that the Palestinian flag symbolized support for Hamas, a Palestinian resistance group engaged in conflict with Israel. He used this accusation to justify his call to attack and kill those supporting Palestine, equating their actions with anti-national behavior.

These statements and actions have sparked outrage and fear among those advocating for Palestine, as well as among broader communities concerned with peace and religious tolerance. The open incitement to violence by a Hindutva leader shows the growing tensions and the potential for communal violence in the region.

To conclude, such rhetoric and threats not only endanger the lives of individuals but also undermine India’s constitutional values of secularism and the right to free speech. It is imperative for authorities and civil society to condemn such rhetoric and take measures to protect vulnerable communities and uphold the rule of law.