In Kochi, Kerala, eight activists were detained by the police on April 29 during a peaceful protest organized by “Friends of Palestine” against rising attacks on Kashmiris across India. The protest was in response to the targeted violence and online hate Kashmiris have been facing since the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that claimed the lives of at least 26 people. Despite assuring the authorities of a non-violent demonstration, Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek, the event’s organizer, said the local police refused permission, citing potential disruption to public peace.

The detained individuals have been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including unlawful assembly and obstruction of public movement. The FIR alleges the protest caused inconvenience to commuters by creating a roadblock. The SHO of Ernakulam Town South Police Station maintained that such public gatherings could potentially provoke animosity and unrest. However, the organizers and rights groups argue that peaceful assembly is a constitutional right, especially when raising voices against communal targeting.

Following the Pahalgam incident, there has been a disturbing surge in hate crimes against Kashmiris in states like Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Chandigarh. Reports include assaults on students, eviction from hostels and rentals, and disturbing online abuse targeting Kashmiri Muslim women with Islamophobic slurs. In Chandigarh, one student was seriously injured in a hostel attack involving sharp weapons. Civil rights organizations have called for immediate intervention to ensure the safety and dignity of Kashmiri citizens across the country.