Protests at prominent US universities against Israel’s actions in Gaza have led to the arrests of numerous students aiming to suppress the demonstrations. Amid these events, India emphasised the importance of maintaining a delicate balance between freedom of speech and expression, civic responsibility and public safety in democracies.
Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted this stance during a press briefing. “We have seen reports on the matter and have been following recent events. In every democracy there has to be a right balance between freedom of speech and expression, sense of responsibility, public safety and order.”
“Democracies in particular should display this understanding in regard to other fellow democracies. After all, we are judged by what we do at home and not what we say abroad,” he said replying to a question. Addressing inquiries about the involvement of Indian students, Jaiswal confirmed that no requests for assistance had been received by the Indian Embassy nor its consulates in the US concerning the protests.
Demonstrations and arrests have taken place in almost every corner of the US. But the maximum attention, action and coverage came from the University of Columbia, New York and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). These antisemitic protests kickstarted on April 17, 2024 to protest against Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip and plans to invade Rafah, the last stronghold of Hamas terrorist entity which attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
He said “We urge all the citizens, whether in India or overseas to adhere to the respective local laws and regulations.” At least 200 people were arrested at the UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) on May 2, 2024, bringing the nationwide total of arrests to more than 2000 at dozens of college campuses since the police cleared an encampment at Columbia University in mid-April according to a tally by an international media agency.
Meanwhile US President Joe Biden emphasised the importance of peaceful protests as a democratic right while also underscoring the necessity for maintaining order. “Dissent is essential for democracy, he said at the White House, but dissent must not lead to disorder.” He affirmed that these protests have not swayed his stance on West Asia and nor has he responded by sending in the National Guard.
At protest sites, particularly the UCLA, action came after officers spent hours threatening arrests over loudspeakers if the people did not disperse. The police had to use their helicopters, flashbangs and batons to counter resistance from the protestors. They ripped apart the encampments set up by the pro-Palestine protestors and began to pull down canopies and tents. Many of them were detained and their hands were bounded by zip ties.
