The incident involving banners of Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh at a mosque’s annual festival in Kerala has sparked significant outrage. The procession, part of the “Uroos” festival in Thrithala, Palakkad, saw these controversial banners paraded atop elephants, leading to widespread discussions on social media. The display of Hamas-related imagery at the event, which attracted over 3,000 attendees, has drawn criticism, with some questioning the festival organizers’ approval of the act.
The participation of notable figures, including Minister MB Rajesh and Congress leader VT Balram, has also stirred controversy, though the organizers have not yet commented. This follows other incidents in Kerala, such as the controversy over the use of “Intifada” at a university festival, which was linked to Hamas and the Palestine-Israel conflict. Additionally, a rally addressed by former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in Malappuram further contributed to the tensions, drawing condemnation from the BJP.
The BJP has called for an investigation, labeling the participation of Hamas-linked figures in Kerala events as extremist. This marks a growing debate around pro-Palestinian sentiments and their connections to Hamas in the region.
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