Indian police book university students for staging pro-Palestine rally

By Anadolu Staff

ANKARA (AA) – Police in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh have registered a case after students at a university held a rally in support of Palestine, officials said Monday, amid its ongoing conflict with Israel.

Police in Aligarh district said they received information that a protest march was organized at Aligarh Muslim University on Sunday evening without “prior permission.”

“Taking cognizance of the matter, a case was registered and legal proceedings were initiated,” Aligarh police wrote on X on Monday.

A number of users on X had tagged the police, asking them to take legal action against the students for organizing the rally.

Police alleged that some “objectionable and provocative” comments were made during the event.

“We have registered a First Information Report regarding the matter and an investigation is underway,” said a video statement released by the police.

A police official in the district told Anadolu on condition of anonymity that four students have been named in the case and there are some unidentified people as well.

“As per the university administration, students took the rally without any permission,” he said.

The Gaza-based Palestinian resistance group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and increased settler violence.

In retaliation, the Israeli army launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 704, including 143 children and 105 women, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said early Tuesday.

It said the number of wounded has risen to around 4,000.

At least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,600 others wounded in the fighting, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

India is yet to issue a detailed statement about the ongoing situation, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Oct. 7 that “we stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour.”

“Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families,” Modi wrote on X.