During the Pakistan-Bangladesh Cricket World Cup match at India’s Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata, four people were detained for waving the Palestinian flag near Gate 6 and Block G1. According to a police officer cited by the Press Trust of India (PTI), the individuals were questioned about their motives and subsequently released.
Four people were detained at Maidan police station for waving Palestinian flag during the Pak-Ban World Cup cricket match at the Eden Gardens.
The men belong to Jharkhand and Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/MbfpbVqIrm
— Weisel🇮🇳 (@weiselaqua) November 1, 2023
“Policemen initially couldn’t discern the protesters’ intentions, but when they waved the Palestinian flag, they were detained,” the officer said. “They, however, did not raise any slogans.” The Kolkata police stated that the four individuals, all in their mid-twenties, were demonstrating against the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza during the international cricket match, as reported by PTI.
Waving Palestinian Flags: A Display of Solidarity
In a recent incident, supporters of the Scottish Celtic football club defied the club’s directive and waved Palestinian flags during the UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid on October 25. These flags were prominently displayed throughout the stadium as fans sang “You’ll never walk alone” and the song “Bella Ciao,” which is associated with the struggle for freedom and has become a symbol of resistance.
Similarly, during the Merseyside derby at Anfield on October 21, Liverpool fans displayed multiple Palestinian flags as a show of solidarity, despite the Premier League’s ban on flags from both Palestine and Israel. This act occurred amid escalating tensions related to the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict.
Liverpool fans show their support to Palestine. pic.twitter.com/yjBflqqjFu
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) October 21, 2023
Liverpool fans also unfurled a substantial banner bearing the message: “For God’s sake, save Gaza.”