Bengaluru: Tensions flared as Bengaluru City Police allegedly seized the Palestinian flag from protesters outside the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on Monday during a protest organized by Bengaluru Palestine Solidarity (BPS).
The demonstration condemned IISc for hosting the India-Israel Business Summit amid ongoing violence in Gaza and Lebanon. Activists criticized the event, organized by Think India, the Indian Chamber of International Business, and the Mysore Lancers Heritage Foundation, for focusing on defense and cybersecurity partnerships with Israel despite global outcry over its military actions.
Protesters, including academics and civil society organizations, voiced their anger at IISc and other institutions like IIM Bangalore and IIT Bangalore for being complicit in the conflict by engaging with Israeli authorities.
The police allegedly crumpled the Palestinian flag while allowing the Israeli flag to be displayed alongside the Indian flag. BPS also condemned the Karnataka government and questioned Congress’s position on Palestine. Despite police intervention, the protest proceeded peacefully.
