Indian-controlled Kashmir remains conspicuously quiet amidst global protest rallies over the Israel-Hamas war, as Indian authorities have prohibited any solidarity protests and instructed Muslim preachers not to mention the conflict in their sermons. These restrictions are part of India’s efforts to suppress any form of protest that could lead to demands for the end of New Delhi’s rule in the disputed region. They also reflect a shift in India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, moving away from its longstanding support for the Palestinians.
India has traditionally maintained close ties with both Israel and Palestine, condemning the attack by Hamas and expressing solidarity with Israel while calling for the upholding of international humanitarian law in Gaza. However, this silence is painful for many in Kashmir, where anti-India sentiment runs deep. The region, which is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both, has a history of showing strong solidarity with the Palestinians and staging large anti-Israel protests during previous conflicts in Gaza.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a staunch Hindu nationalist, was one of the first global leaders to express solidarity with Israel and denounce the Hamas attack as terrorism. However, India’s foreign ministry later reiterated its support for the establishment of a “sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel.” This departure from India’s usual voting record was seen as unusual by experts.
India’s alignment with Israel is in line with the support for Israel among India’s Hindu nationalists, who are a core vote bank for Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party. The coverage of the war by Indian TV channels has also been seen as resonating with the commentary used by Hindu nationalists on social media to fuel anti-Muslim sentiment.
The war between Israel and Hamas could have a domestic impact in India due to its large Muslim population, which makes up the country’s largest minority group. Critics of Modi’s government draw comparisons between its actions and those of Israel, accusing it of adopting measures like demolishing homes as a form of “collective punishment” against minority Muslims.
Protests expressing solidarity with the Palestinians have been largely halted across India, with authorities citing the need to maintain communal harmony and law and order. The only state where massive pro-Palestinian protests have taken place is Kerala, which is ruled by a leftist government. However, in Kashmir, the enforced silence is seen as a violation of freedom of expression and religious duty.
Despite the shift in India’s foreign policy, the country’s historical support for the Palestinian cause is still acknowledged. India was the first non-Arab country to recognize the Palestinian Liberation Organization and established full diplomatic ties with Israel in 1992. The relationship has grown over the years, with Israel becoming India’s second-largest arms supplier.
As India navigates its foreign policy and domestic politics in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the silence in Kashmir speaks volumes about the challenges and complexities of the situation.
