Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi called for the withdrawal of police cases against 11 individuals accused of carrying a Hamas flag during a rally in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district in November.

Azmi dismissed the allegations as false and stated that the pro-Palestine rally, organised with proper permission, had been targeted by a counter-rally with provocative slogans.

Azmi claimed that no police action was taken against the unauthorised counter-protest.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had previously assured appropriate action based on a BJP MLC’s claim that pro-Hamas slogans were raised at the rally.

Azmi argued, “an MLC recently asked a question about this incident, and immediately, cases were registered against 11 persons for carrying a Hamas flag. This claim is false. The protestors had carried a flag of Palestine.”

During a legislative council discussion, MLC Prasad Lad had asserted that individuals supporting Hamas had participated in the rally, prompting the deputy chief minister to promise a thorough examination of the information provided by Lad and appropriate action.