Ismail Haniyeh: A name that surfaced during controversial pro-Palestine rally in Kerala’s Malappuram

Kozhikode: Reports have emerged that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, rekindling the discussion on a name that surfaced during a controversial pro-Palestine rally in Kerala’s Malappuram.

It may be noted that last October, the former head of Hamas, Khaled Mashal, virtually addressed a pro-Palestine rally organised by the Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth organisation of Jamaat-e-Islami. Interestingly, the organisers had earlier announced that Ismail Haniyeh would also virtually address the rally. However, he was unable to address the rally.

Despite his non-attendance, the virtual address sparked controversy, with the BJP seizing the matter to criticise the CPM-led ruling front in Kerala. Referring to the virtual address, Kerala BJP chief K. Surendran alleged that the situation had reached an alarming level in traditionally secular Kerala. "Terrorist leaders of Hamas themselves take part in events (in the state). It was a virtual participation only because he didn't obtain a visa. The organisers' intentions were evident," Surendran said. The BJP chief urged both Kerala Police and central agencies to investigate the incident further.

The then BJP chief J.P. Nadda and Union Minister of State for Electronics Rajeev Chandrasekhar also criticised that neither the government nor the police intervened to prevent the Hamas leader's address.

Later, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan maintained that a virtual address by a Hamas leader would be examined by police, and if any wrongdoing was found, appropriate action would be taken. "The person referred to as a Palestinian warrior spoke at an event organised by the Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami. We need to see what he said. It appears that the speech was a recorded one. We need to understand that issue properly," he said, speaking to reporters. He further stated that when Jamaat-e-Islami or any other organisation approaches the police for permission to hold an event, it is not denied. "That is what happened in this case," he said, adding, "If something is wrong in that, the police will examine it, and action will be taken."

At the same time, he alleged that Chandrasekhar and his associates "are trying to find ways to lodge cases against those who are showing support for Palestine". "They are trying to implicate them (Palestine supporters) in cases. That will not happen in Kerala," the CM said.

Similarly, Suhaib C.T., state president of the Solidarity Youth Movement, justified the virtual participation of the Hamas leader. "He took part in our programme organised to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and to condemn the onslaught by Israel. No need to see anything unusual in that," he said. He stated that Hamas is not an organisation operational in India or a banned outfit, and so his participation is not a crime under the law. There would be many more solidarity events in India, which would prove the support of the Indians for the Palestinian people, Suhaib said.