On May 15, on the eve of Nakba Day, a programme was organised by India Palestine Friendship Forum (IPFF) to express solidarity with the people of Palestine and to remember the atrocities committed by Israeli forces against Palestinians during the last 75 years. The occasion also marked Nakba Day, which was coined by Palestinians to remember the atrocities of Israelis on the Nakba Day.
Ambassadors from a number of nations, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Sudan, Bosnia, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and an envoy from the Arab League, attended the event, which was presided over by the Ambassador of Palestine. Many activists, thinkers, and politicians also attended the event to express their support for the Palestinian people. Most of the speakers recalled the policy of India towards the cause of Palestine and expressed concern over dramatic change in the policy of the present regime.
Professor Zikrur Rehman, a former ambassador to many Arab nations and current West Asia expert, described the Nakba as the Holocaust of the Palestinians. Recalling Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat’s diplomacy and his strategy,he said the people and the leader of Palestine are lacking in that kind of strategy which is very crucial at this stage. Palestinians will have to fight their case with strategy. According to him, permanent solution to the Palestinian problem will not come unless and until Palestinians will have maps.
The most ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause among all Indian politicians, former Rajya Sabha member and senior leader of Janata Dal United K.C. Tyagi, said, “India was the first non-Arab nation to acknowledge Palestine. India has recently recognised Israel. Sadly, the situation has radically changed today. Many Indians are currently seen having fun at the Israeli embassy.
“The late renowned Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat would feel the greatest comfort at the Indian embassy in Jerusalem and would refer to Indians as his wonderful friends, he recalled being told by former external affairs minister K. Natwar Singh.”
Regrettably, India, a staunch ally of the Palestinians, has seen relatively little celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Nakba. In his comment, Professor Apoorvanand of Delhi University emphasised this. “Almost no political party has made any statements. There isn’t a TV debate about the subject. There was a period when India’s political conversation would frequently bring up Palestine. He continued by saying that the human rights violations in Ukraine and the Palestine issue should both receive equal attention. To assist the Palestinians in reclaiming their rights, he stated, “The world must stand by their side like they are with the Ukraine today.”
Professor Manoj Jha, a Member of Parliament and professor, expressed regret that India was not doing more to prevent the flagrant violation of Palestinian rights by a colonising force. He encouraged the gathered Palestinians, “But rest assured that Indians will always be with you.” He claimed that once, the Palestinian cause had a strong hold on the Indian mind. He urged the organisers to make solidarity with Palestinians more frequent than just once a year, saying, “As students we would not be able to locate Palestine on a map, but we would nonetheless raise slogans in its favour.” More frequently during the year, he urged, “The voices for Palestine should be raised.”
Activist Maria Arifuddin demanded to revive the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. According to her, the movement works to discourage international support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and put pressure on Israel to comply with international law. The BDS revival is the least we can do for the Palestinians,” she said.
Mufti Mukarram, the imam of the Fatehpuri Mosque, Delhi, said that Palestinian issue is a human right issue and Al Aqsa Mosque is not only dear to Palestinians, it is the issue of all Ummah.”
Another academic and writer Dr Nivedita Menon, who is also an activist, recalled her trip to Palestine in 2012 by saying that their struggle for freedom was unbelievable and deserves endorsement by the entire world.
Palestinian Ambassador Adnan Abu Al-Haija, in his presidential address, said, “A catastrophe comes and passes but the Nakba of Palestinians has been going on for the past 75 years. You hear daily news of Palestinians dying for the sake of their homeland. Even today, somebody must have died. They have put up a brave and enduring resistance against atrocities, but they have never gone beyond stipulated international laws. This is their spirit and it will stay like this forever.”
The programme was moderated by IPFF founder Nadeem Khan and vote of thanks was delivered by student leader Laeeq Ahmed Khan.