In a bold expression of solidarity with the people of Palestine, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has launched a unique digital protest aimed at condemning Israel’s continued military offensive in Gaza. CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby announced that starting from July 7, citizens across India are encouraged to participate in a symbolic “digital fast” by turning off their mobile phones, computers, and other digital devices every night from 9:00 to 9:30 pm for one week. He described the protest as a peaceful and non-violent way to raise public awareness about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

Calling it a “modern form of satyagraha,” M.A. Baby linked the initiative to the growing influence of digital life and the responsibility that comes with it. He referred to a damning report by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, which accused global tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM of profiting from Israeli military operations. This, he argued, made the digital protest all the more significant. “This is not just about staying offline for 30 minutes—it’s a form of resistance, a statement against genocide and corporate complicity,” he said.

The CPI(M) has also criticized the United States for what it calls a failure to prevent bloodshed in Gaza, highlighting that women and children make up the majority of the victims. Simultaneously, the #SilenceForGaza campaign is gaining momentum online, with users pledging to support the blackout and urging others to join. The protest has already sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms, creating a rare moment of collective pause in a digitally hyperactive world.