Bengaluru: In a concerted effort by academics, activists, and prominent citizens grouped under Citizens for Justice and Peace, concerns have been raised over the police’s harassment of individuals organizing pro-Palestine events throughout Karnataka.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the concerns were formally addressed during a meeting with the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, where a petition with 194 signatures from local and regional supporters was presented. Signatories include notable figures such as Arvind Narrain of PUCL – Karnataka, academic A.R. Vasavi, former Amnesty International head Aakar Patel, and activist Vidya Dinker. The document details 12 separate instances from the past year where police reportedly targeted activists, students, artists, and community members for their involvement in pro-Palestine activities.

One recent example highlighted occurred this Thursday with the student group Collective Bangalore, which had planned a film screening and discussion on Palestine. Despite not publicizing the event’s location, police intervention ensued, with demands for details about the event and threats of requiring students to report to the station.

The group informed the Commissioner that the harassment also affects venue owners, coerced into cancelling events under police pressure. Additionally, the letter criticizes the police’s threats of arrest for displaying Palestinian flags during properly authorized protests.

The report underscores a disturbing trend of police enforcing unofficial policies specifically against pro-Palestine expressions, irrespective of whether these occur in public or private venues or are promoted on social media.

Citizens for Justice and Peace are urging a thorough investigation into these practices of police harassment and the revocation of any FIRs unjustly lodged against those participating in peaceful, solidarity-based actions.