Hyderabad: A protest was held on Friday, June 20, at the Reliance Smart outlet in Tarnaka, Hyderabad, by members of the Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine (IPSP). The demonstration was part of the ongoing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, urging a complete boycott of the Reliance Group for its business ties with Israel, reported the BigTV.
The protest in Tarnaka was one of several held across India, including cities like Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Patna, Visakhapatnam, Chandigarh, Rohtak, and Vijayawada. Activists addressed customers outside the store, condemning Reliance’s investments in Israeli companies and technology sectors. Pamphlets were also distributed inside the store to raise awareness.
Speakers emphasized the importance of boycotting brands that support or benefit from Israel’s occupation and aggression in Palestine. They also called on the Indian government to sever diplomatic and commercial relations with Israel.
Reliance Jio, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, placed a major equipment order in 2014 with Israeli firm Airspan Networks and acquired equity in the company. In 2017, Reliance invested $25 million in the Jerusalem Innovation Incubator, which is backed by the Israeli government and supports startups in AI, cybersecurity, and fintech—sectors closely linked to Israel’s military-industrial complex.
Through its Jio GenNext program, Reliance has backed over 100 Israeli startups. Most recently, in 2024, Reliance Retail entered a joint venture with Israeli apparel firm Delta Galil, enabling Israeli products to expand in the Indian retail market.
Activists have called for intensifying pressure on the Indian government to halt these collaborations and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
