Kerala CM, Other CPI(M) Leaders Protest In Delhi, Seek 'End To Israel's Barbarity In Gaza Against Palestinians'

Leaders of CPI(M) are staging a protest in Delhi over Israel's actions against Gaza. The party called for an "immediate" end to the "barbarity" being done by "Israel on Palestinian people".

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and other senior CPI(M) leaders are protesting outside AKG Bhawan in Delhi over the Israel-Hamas war with the message "Stop this Genocidal Aggression on Gaza". Party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury is also present at the agitation site. Addressing the gathering of party leaders here, Yetchury sought an "immediate" end to the "barbarity" that is being done by "Israel in the Gaza Strip". He said that over 8,000 people have died in the ongoing conflict so far while there is no clue of how many bodies are under the rubble.

"...The whole central committee has decided to protest today demanding an immediate end to this barbarity that is being done by Israel in the Gaza Strip against the Palestinians. Till now the figures show that more than 8000+ people have died. Children are being targeted and killed. All communications are cut. How many bodies are buried under the rumble is only a guess. This is inhuman barbarism. This must stop... The UN call for humanity must be implemented..." the CPI(M) general secretary said.

Kerala CM Vijayan meanwhile said that the protest has been organised to oppose the "inhuman genocide" against the "Palestinian people" and said that the Indian government is "extending" support to Israel.

"We are here to protest against the inhuman genocide that is going on against the Palestinian people and the support being extended to Israel by the government of India in blatant violation of time tested policy of solidarity with the Palestinian people who fight for their own land," he said while addressing the people here.

"It is really shocking that the government has gone to the extent of abstaining from discussion of the UN resolution, supporting Israel and the US," he added.

This comes a day after Kerala BJP chief K Surendran alleged that Hamas leader Khaled Mashal participated in a protest programme virtually which was organised by an Islamist group in the state, reported PTI.

Surendran claimed in a Facebook post that Mashal's participation in the event organised by the Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, on Friday. He also shared a post with Masha's image on X, formerly Twitter.

"Hamas leader Khaled Mashel's virtual address at the Solidarity event in Malappuram is alarming.  Where's @pinarayivijayan's Kerala Police ? Under the guise of 'Save Palestine,' they're glorifying Hamas, a terrorist organization, and its leaders as 'warriors.' This is unacceptable! @HMOIndia," he said in the post.

Notably, Khaled Mashel is believed to be the former chief of the militant group.