Permission given to Communist Party of India (Marxist) to conduct protest against alleged genocide in Gaza: Mumbai Police seek endorsement from Bombay High Court

Permission given to Communist Party of India (Marxist) to conduct protest against alleged genocide in Gaza: Mumbai Police seek endorsement from Bombay High Court

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) is set to hold a peaceful assembly at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Tuesday, August 20, 2025, to protest against the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza that they consider a "genocide."

The assembly, which follows a second petition by the CPI(M) to the Bombay High Court after their initial petition was rejected on July 25, 2025, was granted permission under strict conditions. These conditions include adherence to the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, and regulations banning provocative speeches, emphasizing the need for maintaining law and order during such assemblies.

Azad Maidan is a designated site for regulated protests in Mumbai, where gatherings must be coordinated with the police. The Mumbai Police had initially denied permission due to concerns related to demonstrations on international conflicts, but they have since informed the Bombay High Court about the assembly.

The assembly is expected to be attended by around 250 participants, including citizens, political leaders, activists, and artists. The event is jointly organized by CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML), CPI(ML) Liberation, PWP, Samajwadi Party, NCP(SP), Indian National Congress, and civil society groups like the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO).

Speakers at the assembly are expected to denounce Israeli actions as genocide and call for a ceasefire and protection of civilians and journalists in Gaza. The protest will carry placards and banners supporting the Palestinian cause.

The permission and peaceful conduct of the assembly mark a significant development after the initial denial and highlight the role of legal action and progressive pressure to secure the right to protest on international issues in India.

[1] - [Source 1] [2] - [Source 2] [3] - [Source 3] [4] - [Source 4]

1. The ongoing dispute over war-and-conflicts, particularly the Israeli actions in Gaza deemed as a genocide, has sparked a wave of policy-and-legislation discussions in India, as evidenced by the CPI(M)'s legal petitioning and the Mumbai Police's subsequent approval for a peaceful assembly.
2. This assembly, part of the general-news landscape, is a testament to the intersection of politics and protests, as various political parties and civil society groups come together to denounce the ongoing Israeli actions and advocate for a ceasefire and civilians' protection.

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