THE Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a protest at the Adani Missiles and Defense Systems building in Pahadi Sharif, Hyderabad on October 21, condemning the supply of Hermes 900 drones by Adani Aerospace to Israel. The protest, organised by the Ranga Reddy district committee, demanded an immediate halt to these exports, calling on the Indian government to end its support for Israel's military actions. Demonstrators held banners denouncing Israel’s attacks on Palestine and called for for global peace, the destruction of imperialism, and the rise of socialism.

Addressing the protesters, CPI(M) state committee member S Veeraiah expressed anguish over the ongoing conflict, accusing Israeli rulers of committing atrocities against Palestinians and threatening world peace. He warned that the war, initially between Israel and Palestine, was escalating into a regional conflict involving other nations like Iran. Veeraiah criticised Israel’s long-standing attempts to occupy Palestinian territory. He also spoke about the shift in India’s foreign policy since the Modi government came to power, and condemned India’s growing alignment with Israel, calling it inhumane to support the massacre of Palestinians.

Veeraiah also criticised the close ties between the Modi government and corporate giants like Adani and Ambani. While he clarified that there was no objection to their business operations, he emphasized that the drones supplied by Adani were being used by Israel to attack Palestinian civilians. The CPI(M) demanded an immediate ban on drone exports to Israel and urged the government to stand with the rights of Palestinians and other marginalised communities. Veeraiah made it clear that the Party's struggle would continue until these demands were met.

He further called on the Modi government to cease its cooperation with Israel, condemn the attacks on Palestine, and unite with other developing nations at the United Nations to take a stand against Israel's actions.

In a pointed criticism of Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy, Veeraiah questioned why Reddy’s stance differed from that of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had publicly condemned Israel’s actions. He expressed anger that the Congress-led Telangana government had denied permission for a peaceful protest, despite Gandhi’s condemnation of Israel. Veeraiah questioned the government’s refusal to allow a dharna that called for world peace, labelling the inconsistency between Gandhi and Reddy’s positions as opportunistic. He called on all political parties, including the ruling Congress, opposition BRS, and the public, to unite against imperialist aggression.

CPI(M) state committee member John Wesley also addressed the gathering, describing the devastating impact of Israel's military campaign, which had resulted in the deaths of 43,000 people, millions of injuries, and the displacement of over one million civilians. He highlighted the destruction of schools, hospitals, and the looming threat of famine. Wesley accused the Indian government of enabling Adani’s drone exports in line with American geopolitical interests and condemned the global arms trade. He called on peace-loving citizens and all political parties, both ruling and opposition, to oppose Israel’s war ambitions and stand in solidarity with Palestine.

CPI(M) district secretariat members Padala Yadayya, Jagadish, Madhusudhan Reddy, and Kavitha, and district committee members also participated in the protest.