(RAHNUMA) In a bold and moving gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra recently carried a handbag emblazoned with the word “Palestine” to Parliament. This act, featuring the watermelon symbol of Palestinian unity, highlights her steadfast commitment to justice and human rights, a cause deeply tied to India’s founding principles and historical stance on global issues of oppression and colonialism.
Priyanka Gandhi’s advocacy for Palestinian rights is a continuation of her family’s legacy. Her grandmother, the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was a staunch supporter of Palestinian self-determination and a key ally of the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Indira Gandhi’s visit to Hyderabad for a massive pro-Palestine rally organized by Rahnuma-E-Deccan publisher Syed Vicaruddin remains a milestone in India’s historic solidarity with Palestine. Priyanka’s actions reflect the same moral clarity and commitment to justice, reminding us of the values that once made India a global voice for the oppressed.
Her condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which she has rightly described as “genocidal” and “barbaric,” shows a level of moral courage that is increasingly rare in today’s political climate. Priyanka’s words—“This is no longer just a humanitarian issue; it is about the preservation of dignity and humanity”—echo the frustrations of those disillusioned by Western apathy toward Palestinian suffering and India’s perceived shift away from its principled position.
While India’s growing ties with Israel, particularly in defense, are driven by legitimate strategic interests, they must not be co-opted as a dog whistle for Islamophobia or a tool to alienate the country’s 200 million Indian Muslims. Israel has emerged as one of India’s leading suppliers of military technology, providing advanced weaponry such as drones, missile systems, and radar equipment. These imports are critical for India’s national security and modernization efforts. However, conflating this strategic relationship with communal rhetoric risks alienating not only Indian Muslims but also key allies in the Arab world, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with whom India shares deep economic, energy, and cultural ties.
Support for Israel must be based on pragmatism, not prejudice. It is vital for India to maintain strong ties with Israel for technological collaboration, agricultural innovation, and counter-terrorism initiatives. However, this relationship should be insulated from the influence of Islamophobic narratives that seek to marginalize Indian Muslims or portray India’s secularism as outdated. Doing so undermines the nation’s longstanding principles and reduces a strategic partnership to a communal statement.
Priyanka Gandhi’s support for Palestine is not a populist attempt to appease Muslim voters, as some critics might claim. Instead, it is a principled stand that aligns with the values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi and India’s founding fathers. Since independence, India has supported the Palestinian cause as part of its commitment to anti-colonial struggles and the right to self-determination. Priyanka Gandhi’s stance is a reaffirmation of these values, rooted in a moral responsibility to speak out against oppression wherever it occurs.
In an increasingly polarized world, Priyanka Gandhi’s leadership offers a reminder of India’s true role on the global stage: as a bridge-builder, a voice for the oppressed, and a nation that prioritizes justice and inclusivity over division. Her actions serve as a call to action for India to uphold its historic commitments while ensuring its strategic partnerships do not erode its secular and inclusive foundations.
