People take part in a demonstration in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)A dozen white shrouds stained with red, resembling the bodies of children killed in Gaza, lay on the road at Jantar Mantar on Friday evening as hundreds of people from Delhi and nearby states gathered in solidarity with Palestine as the Israel escalated its attack on Gaza City, wearing keffiyeh, chanting slogans and waving Palestinian flags. Placards in the crowd read ‘Bread Blocked, Babies Starved, World Silent’ and ‘Israel uses hunger as a weapon. The world is silent’.Among the key demands of the gathering included an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the opening of humanitarian corridors for food, water, fuel and medical aid. The protestors urged India and the international community to condemn Israel’s actions, halt all strategic cooperation, and back the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They also sought support for the United Nations’ call to end Israel’s occupation and establish an independent sovereign state of Palestine.Travelling from Meerut, 46-year-old Nazeema Parveen joined the gathering in the afternoon, and patiently waited as the crowd swelled in numbers. Parveen said, “The violence is inhumane and women and children are suffering. Every day you see pictures and videos of mothers holding their dead babies, of children crying in hospitals without medicine. If this is not stopped, it will leave a scar on the conscience of the world” she said, adding that what has disturbed her the most is the world’s indifference.Afrooz from Kashmere Gate called for stronger measures in everyday life. “It is inhuman and boycott of goods from Israel should be taken seriously,” she said.Elderly voices too echoed the same grief. “India is not paying any attention to this issue, neither is the media. Two years ago, I couldn’t have imagined that this could happen,” said 75-year-old Kamini Tankha from Patparganj, who came to Jantar Mantar, despite the heavy crowd, to register her protest.“I am glad to see hundreds of citizens come here in solidarity. It is the common citizens who need to come in, join these protests and take to the streets…rather than being confined to academics or intellectuals,” Tankha added.“We grew up with the idea that India always spoke for the oppressed, that our freedom struggle made us sensitive to the struggles of others. But today, our government is silent and our media barely shows what is happening. It is heartbreaking.”Story continues below this adMohammad Sufiyan, who came from Bihar, said, “India is the world’s largest democracy and we should stand for justice. If we cannot raise our voice for people whose homes, schools and hospitals are being bombed, where aid is being stopped…then what is the meaning of democracy? I came here because I believe India should extend real help,” he said.Speakers at the demonstration warned of escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank. Syed Sadatullah Hussaini, president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, said, “Israel declared its evil plan today. Through this, 3,400 new housing units will be settled cutting off Eastern Jerusalem and West Bank. Palestine will end, as a result of this plan.” He added, “There is an attempt to fully control Gaza. There has to be an immediate ceasefire. Relief and food supply should be unrestricted. All restrictions such as these should end immediately.”Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi reminded the gathering drawing parallels with India’s colonial history. “Palestinians have been fighting for their rights, for their land…We, in India, had also faced this when Britishers colonized our land. Like our country got independence and belongs to Indians, likewise, Palestine belongs to the Palestinians.”Former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb called it a humanitarian issue rather than a religious one. “There has been no sin seen worse than this. If for innocents, nobody is raising their voice, then what will happen? It is shameful that people who are in power and can make a difference are keeping quiet. India was among the first to raise its voice for Palestine, but today it is silent,” Adeeb said.Story continues below this adThe civil society groups in their appeal underlined that their should be intensified boycott of Israeli products, solidarity campaigns and financial support to the affected families in Palestine.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd