– Zaina Aman
Kerala’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has come under scrutiny after questioning the elderly parents of Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek, a 26-year-old activist and freelance journalist, allegedly due to his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests. The questioning took place on Tuesday when Rejaz was away, raising concerns over what some see as intimidation tactics against those supporting the Palestinian cause in Kerala.
Rejaz shared that he was contacted by someone who identified himself as a police officer while he was at a hospital. Despite informing them that he was not at home, ATS officials visited his residence and questioned his parents in his absence. “By the time I got back, they had already left,” he said, describing the incident as an attempt to intimidate his family.
This isn’t the first time Rejaz has faced police scrutiny. On November 7, he and four others were briefly detained at the Palarivattam Police Station while attending an Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. The group was wearing keffiyehs, a symbol of solidarity with Palestine. Although they were released without any formal charges, the incident has raised questions about police monitoring of peaceful demonstrations.
According to Rejaz, the ATS questioning went beyond his protest activities, suggesting a deeper probe into his personal beliefs and affiliations. Officers reportedly asked his parents if Rejaz was religious and if he had any connections with specific organisations. They allegedly urged his parents to discourage him from participating in protests.
Criticising the state’s Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, Rejaz accused it of double standards and aligning with the central government’s policies. “The ruling LDF government talks about supporting Palestine, but its actions reveal a different agenda by associating protesters with terrorism,” he argued, pointing to what he perceives as the increasing saffronisation of law enforcement in Kerala.
