Tension flared outside the Fort Kochi police station in Ernakulam district of Kerala on the evening of 16 April 2024 as activists from the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) gathered, demanding the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against an Austrian woman tourist. The woman was detained by police after being accused of tearing down Palestine solidarity boards and banners erected by the SIO.
The SIO activists swiftly lodged a complaint under IPC Section 425, citing intent to cause damage to public property. Hours of protest ensued, echoing with slogans, until the police relented and agreed to register the FIR. The activists also claimed the involvement of another Austrian woman, whom they had located and provided information about to the police.
An Austrian Jewish tourist was summoned by Kerala Police after a video of her tearing down a pro-Palestinian mural in Fort Kochi in Ernakulam district went viral on social media.
As an Indian Hindu we support Jewish tourist. pic.twitter.com/eTk9YW11K6
— Trunicle ट्रूनिकल (@trunicle) April 16, 2024
Confirming the registration of an FIR, the Fort Kochi police did not divulge many details regarding the accused or the exact sections invoked. Speaking to The Hindu, Fuaad P.S, SIO president, Kochi City said, “The boards and banners had been there since the New Year and had the support of the local people. The local residents protested her act and alerted us. Later, we traced her to a homestay and informed the police following which she was detained by the police on Tuesday. The police initially kept dillydallying on our demand that an FIR be registered against the women.”
The video of the incident has been gaining traction on social media.
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