Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine (IPSP) held protest demonstrations outside Hewlett Packard (HP) outlets across multiple cities, alleging that the tech giant is complicit in Israel’s occupation and ongoing military actions in Gaza. IPSP, a citizens’ forum advocating Palestinian solidarity, has been leading a nationwide Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign in association with various mass organisations.
“Children are dying of malnutrition and hunger, while 90% of housing units, schools and more than half of the hospitals in Gaza have been bombed down. Over 2000 people have been shot down in line to receive humanitarian aid. The hypocrisy of USA and imperialist powers has become exposed worldwide, as their support to Israel and their role in the ongoing genocide has become more and more deep,”Press release by Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine reads
Demonstrations took place in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Rohtak, Chandigarh, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Patna and several other regions. Alongside IPSP, groups such as Disha Students’ Organization, Naujawan Bharat Sabha, Revolutionary Workers’ Party of India, Stree Mukti League, and the Delhi State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union joined the call. These groups have been part of earlier campaigns against companies accused of supporting Israel, including Tata Motors, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Reliance Retail and Mahindra.
According to IPSP, HP has long been involved in technologies that support Israel’s occupation. Activists cite a recent UN Special Rapporteur report listing HP among companies enabling human rights violations. HP is accused of developing the Basel biometric-ID system used by Israeli forces to surveil Palestinians, providing critical IT support to Israel’s prison infrastructure, and assisting the Population Immigration & Borders Authority. Rights groups say these systems underpin the detention of more than 9,200 Palestinians and the broader machinery of occupation.
“October 2023, Israel has violated two ceasefire agreements and is escalating its genocidal attack in the Gaza Strip. Children are dying of malnutrition and hunger, while 90% of housing units, schools and more than half of the hospitals in Gaza have been bombed down. Over 2000 people have been shot down in line to receive humanitarian aid,” the Press Released by Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine reads
“The hypocrisy of USA and imperialist powers has become exposed worldwide, as their support to Israel and their role in the ongoing genocide has become more and more deep. In response, the millions of ordinary citizens across the world are raising their voice against Israel’s terrorism and the complicity of their own governments, institutions etc., turning to the streets to stand with Palestine. Countries like Italy are seeing massive general strikes in protest against their government’s support to Israel” it adds
Speakers at the demonstrations alleged that Israel’s military actions over the past two years have resulted in more than 70,000 Palestinian deaths, a third of them children. They highlighted the destruction of homes, schools and hospitals in Gaza, as well as reports of civilians being shot while waiting for humanitarian aid. Protesters criticised the U.S. and other Western powers for supporting Israel, arguing that global public opinion has shifted sharply against such policies.
Addressing the gathering, activists from Naujawan Bharat Sabha emphasized India’s own anti-colonial legacy, drawing parallels with the resistance led by Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Chandrashekhar Azad. They urged Indians to support the global BDS movement and boycott companies alleged to be complicit in the conflict.
Protesters distributed pamphlets and engaged passers-by in discussions, calling for the Indian government and domestic companies to sever ties with Israel. They stated that standing with Palestine today was synonymous with standing for justice and humanity.
