CPI(M) Slams Bombay High Court for ‘Anti-Constitutional’ Remarks in Gaza Protest Case

Mumbai: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly condemned the Bombay High Court for what it described as “anti-constitutional” and politically biased remarks made during a recent hearing. The court had dismissed the party’s plea challenging the Mumbai Police’s refusal to allow a protest against what the CPI(M) terms as the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

In a sharply worded statement issued by the CPI(M) Polit Bureau, the party criticised the court for questioning its patriotism and accused the bench of aligning with the political stance of the central government.

The party quoted the bench as saying: “You don’t know the dust it could kick up. Getting on to the Palestine side or the Israel side. Why do you want to do this? It’s obvious, going by the party you represent, that you don’t understand what this could do to the foreign affairs of the country.”

Further, the court remarked that the party should focus on local civic issues like garbage, flooding or pollution, rather than international matters.

Terming these observations as “reprehensible,” the CPI(M) said the bench had disregarded both constitutional rights and India’s longstanding moral and diplomatic support for the Palestinian cause. The party reminded that leaders of India’s national movement, including Mahatma Gandhi, had openly supported the legitimate rights of Palestinians to a homeland.

“The court’s remarks betray a clear political bias. They ignore global condemnation of Israel’s military actions, including resolutions passed by UN agencies and interim rulings of the International Court of Justice,” the statement said.

The CPI(M) accused the judiciary of undermining the constitutional right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, particularly on international human rights issues.

Appealing to the public, the party said: “We call upon all democracy- and freedom-loving citizens to unambiguously reject this alarming judicial posture and stand in defence of constitutional rights and moral responsibilities.”

The controversial court order and the CPI(M)’s strong reaction have now added a new dimension to the ongoing national debate on the limits of dissent, judicial neutrality, and India’s foreign policy sensitivities in the context of the Middle East conflict.