Cross complaints lodged: BJP workers thrash pro-Palestine group for ‘distributing pamphlets supporting Hamas’

Police said BDS stands for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. Based on a complaint filed by the BDS members, a first information report (FIR) was lodged against a BJP office bearer Mahesh Pawale and his associates for allegedly thrashing them and hurling abuses, during their peaceful protest outfit Domino’s outlet in Karve Nagar on May 10.

BDS India has over the last few days held protests calling for a Boycott on Domino’s outlets in different parts of the country, claiming the company was complicit in the genocide of Palestinian people.

Police said BJP office bearer Pawale also lodged an FIR against the BDS members for allegedly distributing posters in support of “Hamas terrorist group” and hurting the sentiments of the Jewish community by illegally gathering for their pro-Palestine protest in Karve Nagar at a time when there was a war-like situation between India and Pakistan.

Pawale alleged that people asked the BDS members to avoid spreading any misleading information that would disturb communal harmony, but they argued and continued the protest.

Human right organisation People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Pune, condemned the alleged attack on members of the BDS Movement. PUCL claimed inaction agains the assailants by the police in this case.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Sambhaji Kadam said BJP workers and the pro-Palestine protesters had filed complaint applications against each other. “Police initiated an inquiry into the incident. FIRs were lodged today based on the complaints filed by both sides. No arrests have been made yet. Further investigation is on,” Kadam said.

The officer confirmed that BDS members had not taken police permission while holding their protest outside Dominor’s in Karve Nagar.