Fri Jul 25 19:42:51 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Bombay High Court Rejects Protest Against Gaza Conflict, Cites Need to Prioritize Domestic Issues**

**Mumbai, July 26, 2025** – The Bombay High Court on Friday dismissed a petition filed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and the CPI challenging the Mumbai Police’s decision to deny permission for a protest at Azad Maidan against the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The court stated that Indian political organizations should focus on local issues, rather than international ones.

A Division Bench comprising Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad questioned the petitioners’ focus on international matters, emphasizing the numerous domestic problems facing India, such as garbage dumping, pollution, drainage, or flooding, where they could make a difference. The Bench questioned why the political organization was showing “concern for Palestine and Gaza” when “you want to protest over something happening thousands of miles away.”

Senior advocate Mihir Desai, representing the CPI(M), argued that the protest aimed to show solidarity with the people of Gaza, highlighting India’s historical support for Palestine and its recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and Palestine as a State. He also contended that citizens have a fundamental right to protest and that disagreements with the government’s foreign policy should not stifle dissent.

However, the court rejected the petition, stating that it did not want the country to “take sides on this” and that it was up to the government to take a side for either Palestine or Israel.

In response, the CPI(M) released a statement condemning the court’s remarks as unconstitutional and politically biased, accusing the bench of aligning itself with the Central government’s foreign policy stance. The party reaffirmed India’s historical support for Palestine and called on citizens to reject what it termed an undermining of democratic rights.

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