In a controversial incident captured on video, two foreign female tourists were seen destroying pro-Palestine boards in Kochi, Kerala, on April 15. The boards, erected by the Students Islamic Organisation, became the center of a heated argument between the tourists and local residents.
Incident Breakdown
The video shows the tourists standing on a pavement littered with torn pieces of the boards. A local is heard confronting one of the women, accusing her of destroying property. The woman defended her actions, stating, “I did it for the Jewish people. You are promoting propaganda and lies.”
Heated Exchange
As tensions escalated, the locals advised the tourists that if they had issues with the posters, they should have filed a complaint instead of tearing them down. The woman countered, claiming, “But they will not take it down. This is promoting sectarianism.”
One local retorted, “There are Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, everybody. We are living in India.” The tourist replied, “Jewish people are not here anymore. You guys make money off Jewish people, but there are no Jews here.”
Legal Action
Following the altercation, the Fort Kochi police registered a case against the tourists after a complaint was filed by the Students Islamic Organisation. The incident has sparked discussions on the balance between free expression and respect for differing viewpoints in public spaces.