Delhi: Hundreds of students and activists formed a human chain outside Delhi University Metro Station on Saturday, voicing solidarity with Palestine and condemning the ongoing violence in Gaza. The demonstrators also demanded that the Indian government withdraw from recent defense agreements with Israel, framing their protest as part of a broader sentiment of justice and humanity among Indian youth.
The protest, organized under the banner of “Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine (IPSP)”, was also connected to the “Global Sumud Flotilla” campaign. Protesters held placards and posters denouncing India’s deepening military ties with Israel, calling for boycott and international accountability.
Protester Priyamvada Sharma described the Palestine issue as “a matter of justice and humanity,” stressing that India’s foreign policy actions often stand in contrast with the domestic public’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Adding a notable presence to the event was Vipin Kumar Tripathi, retired IIT Delhi professor and long-time activist. A video circulating on social media shows him standing with the demonstrators, reiterating his commitment to peace and social justice. Tripathi, a plasma physicist by training, has been active in campaigns against the Abrogation of Article 370 and the Citizenship Amendment Act, and is known for his pamphlet distribution, hunger fasts and consistent advocacy for human rights.
The protest comes amid India’s increasingly complex diplomatic balancing act. While projecting itself as a leader of the Global South, India has also deepened ties with Israel in recent years. The 2017 cybersecurity agreement and subsequent defense collaborations have been criticized by sections of civil society, who argue that aligning too closely with Israel, especially during the Gaza crisis, undermines India’s historical solidarity with Palestine.
For many of the participants, the protest was not just about foreign policy but about affirming moral responsibility. As Sharma put it, the call was for justice, reminding both the public and the government of India’s long-standing position on Palestine and urging action that aligns with the values of peace and solidarity.
