3 Booked in Karnataka Over Display of Palestinian Flag During Eid Milad-un-Nabi Preparations

Police in the southern Indian state of Karnataka have registered a case against three Muslim youths after they allegedly displayed a Palestinian flag on a cutout erected for Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations in Shivamogga.

The accused have been identified as Nihal (alias Bekku), Umar, and Abrahar.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the three men climbed onto a structure near Bharathi Sabha Bhavan on August 24, attached a Palestinian flag to the cutout, recorded a video of the act, and later shared it on Instagram.

Police said they initiated the case suo motu after the video circulated widely on social media.

Charges Filed Under BNS
The Doddapete Police have booked the three under Sections 353(2), 196(1), and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These provisions generally relate to promoting public mischief, fostering enmity between different communities, and acts considered prejudicial to national integration.

According to police, the manner in which the flag was displayed and the subsequent circulation of the video on social media had the potential to create communal tension and disturb public order.

As of Thursday, Nihal, also known as Katkut or Bekku, had been taken into custody for questioning, while police were searching for Umar and Abrahar. The investigation remains ongoing.

Social Media Debate
The incident has sparked widespread debate online, with many social media users questioning whether displaying the Palestinian flag should be treated as a criminal offense.

Several commentators argued that expressing solidarity with Palestinians is not, in itself, prohibited under Indian law. India has historically supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has maintained diplomatic relations with Palestine for decades.

One user on X wrote, "Since when has showing solidarity with an oppressed people become a crime?"

Another questioned, "Under which law is this considered an offense?"

A third user challenged the application of provisions relating to communal enmity, asking, "How does displaying the Palestinian flag create hostility between different communities?"

Police Clarify Basis of Investigation
Police have maintained that the case is not based solely on the display of the Palestinian flag.

Investigators said the inquiry also concerns the manner in which the flag was displayed, the recording of the video, and its dissemination on social media, which authorities believe could have implications for public order.

The allegations against the three accused have not been proven in court, and the case remains under investigation. Any further legal action will depend on the outcome of the police inquiry.