PUNE — Activists from the Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine and BDS India were reportedly attacked by members of a Hindutva mob while peacefully demonstrating in Pune’s Karve Nagar on May 10. The volunteers were distributing pamphlets condemning the ongoing genocide in Gaza and urging support for Palestine when the confrontation turned violent, reported the Maktoob Media.
According to BDS India, a group of 10–15 individuals began with verbal abuse, which escalated dramatically when BJP leader Mahesh Pavle allegedly arrived with a mob of 50–100 people. The mob then physically assaulted the activists. In a post on X , BDS India stated:
“At a peaceful solidarity campaign in Pune, a right-wing mob violently attacked BDS India activists. Women were manhandled, clothes torn, threats of rape and death issued. Pune Police refused to file FIR, pressured women to withdraw complaint. #Shame #PunePolice”
BDS India reported that female participants were specifically targeted, with some facing rape threats and having their clothes torn. Despite approaching the police immediately, the group said officials refused to file an FIR and allegedly attempted to dissuade them from proceeding. Only after the activists insisted on a medical legal case (MLC) were they escorted to Sassoon Hospital—where they claim police left them abandoned.
Four members of the group were detained, further compounding their fear. When they returned to the Karve Nagar police post later, there was only one officer on duty while a crowd continued to gather, raising safety concerns. The activists left the station and returned the next morning, only to be told that their original complaint had been “lost.” After hours of persistence, the complaint was finally acknowledged and accepted.
The group categorically denied allegations that they chanted slogans like “Pakistan Zindabad” or supported Hamas, asserting their campaign was solely in favor of Palestinian human rights. They accused BJP-affiliated groups of spreading false narratives to justify violence and discredit peaceful protest.
In a video posted on Facebook, a BDS India representative narrated the ordeal:
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Pune, issued a strong condemnation of the incident, labeling the attackers as right-wing vigilantes and criticizing police inaction as a gross violation of constitutional rights. PUCL called for immediate legal action against all those involved in the assault.
BDS India reaffirmed its commitment to continue peaceful advocacy for Palestine and condemned the intimidation and abuse faced by activists.
