Kochi: The virtual participation of Palestinian Terrorsit Group Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in a pro-Palestine rally in Mallapuram, Kerala, has ignited controversy, with political leaders expressing their concerns and opinions on the matter.
BJP's Critique
Kailash Vijayvargiya, the national general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), criticized the event and attributed it to what he perceived as the failure of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government. He voiced alarm over the challenge posed to 'Hindutva' and urged both the state and central governments to address the issue seriously.
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla, while condemning the event, questioned whether the Congress party, part of the INDI alliance, would also denounce it. He expressed dismay over giving a platform to organizations associated with terrorism, arguing that terrorists were being provided with opportunities in the name of vote bank politics.
Dushyant Gautam's Stance
Dushyant Gautam, another BJP leader, deemed the participation of Khaled Mashal in the event as "anti-national activity" and called upon the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala to put an end to such activities. He accused members of the opposition alliance of attempting to disparage Sanatan Dharma and the Hindu religion.
The Event and Its Organizers
The pro-Palestine rally in question was organized by the Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth wing of Jamaat-Islami in Kerala. Khaled Mashal, a former Hamas chief, addressed the gathering virtually in Arabic. Footage from the event displayed a poster reading, "Uproot Bulldozer Hindutva and Apartheid Zionism."
Criticism and Reactions
Leaders and officials across the political spectrum have expressed their disapproval of the event and the virtual participation of a Hamas leader. Kerala BJP president K Surendran stated that such events were unacceptable and questioned the role of Kerala Police in allowing it to happen. He criticized the glorification of Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization, and its leaders as "warriors."
India's Position on Israel-Hamas Conflict
The ongoing Israel-Hamas war, now in its 22nd day, has drawn condemnation from India, which strongly criticized a "horrific terrorist attack on Israel" that occurred on October 7. India emphasized the need for the international community to unite against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The Indian government has also reiterated its support for direct negotiations to establish a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
CPI(M) Calls for Two-State Solution
Sitaram Yechury, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M), emphasized the importance of implementing the mandate of the United Nations (UN) for a 'Two-State' solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict. He asserted that the ongoing events in Gaza run contrary to humanity and called for measures to implement the UN's mandate for a peaceful resolution.
India's Voting Abstention
India recently abstained from voting on a Jordanian resolution, which called for an "immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce" between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists in Gaza. India instead favored the Canadian resolution, which included a condemnation of terrorist attacks by Hamas.
The controversy surrounding the participation of a Hamas leader in the Kerala rally has generated significant discussion and varying perspectives within the Indian political landscape, adding another layer to the ongoing international debate on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
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